The New Orleans Pelicans have been hit hard by injuries to start the NBA season. With Dejounte Murray, Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy and others all missing time, New Orleans has played a good portion of the young season without several of their top players.

As Murphy was on the verge of returning, Williamson went down with an injury that the team said would sideline him indefinitely.

Via Pelicans: “The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that forward Zion Williamson has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain. Imaging this morning confirmed the injury. Williamson will be out indefinitely and further updates will be provided as appropriate.”

While that was obviously a major disappointment, the Pelicans announced an encouraging update on another player, saying Murphy will return to action on Monday against the Brooklyn Nets.

Via Pelicans: “Trey Murphy III (right hamstring strain) has been upgraded to AVAILABLE for tonight’s game against Brooklyn”

The Pelicans need all the help they can get right now. Quickly falling in the Western Conference standings, the Pelicans enter Monday’s game with a 3-7 record. Expecting to be a playoff team, especially after trading for Murray, who appeared in just one game, the Pelicans have work to do.

New Orleans and Brooklyn will begin play on Monday at 8:00 PM ET.

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