Few injuries in the NBA carry the weight of a ruptured Achilles. For Dejounte Murray, the New Orleans Pelicans guard, what began as a promising season turned into a 13-month rehabilitation arc that tested both his patience and the team’s playoff hopes.
Age: 29 · Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) · Team: New Orleans Pelicans · Net Worth: Approximately $20 million · Children: 2
Quick snapshot
- Born September 19, 1996 in Seattle, Washington (Wikipedia)
- Drafted 29th overall in 2016 by San Antonio Spurs (Basketball-Reference)
- Signed 4-year, $114 million extension with Atlanta Hawks in 2023 (Spotrac)
- Two children: daughter born 2020, son born 2022 (Instagram)
- Exact net worth (estimates range from $15 million to $25 million) (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Wedding date with fiancée Jania – engaged since 2023, no public ceremony yet (Harper’s Bazaar)
- Jan. 31, 2025 – ruptured right Achilles vs. Boston Celtics (ESPN)
- Feb. 2026 – returned to action after 389 days out (PelicansNBA on X)
- Murray expected to compete for the starting guard role in 2026–27 (NBA.com)
- Pelicans front office evaluating long-term fit around Zion Williamson and Murray (Sports Illustrated)
Eleven data points tell the story of a player who went from a hand fracture to an Achilles rupture to a comeback – and how the numbers stack up.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dejounte Dashaun Murray |
| Birthdate | September 19, 1996 |
| Age | 29 (as of 2025) |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Team | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Position | Point guard / Shooting guard |
| Draft | 2016, Round 1, Pick 29 (San Antonio Spurs) |
| College | Washington |
| Net Worth | Approximately $20 million |
| Children | 2 |
Murray’s career arc shows a guard who has battled two major injuries in 18 months. For the Pelicans, the question isn’t just about his health – it’s whether he can regain the All-Defensive form that made him a steal leader in 2022.
What’s going on with Dejounte Murray?
Current injury status
Dejounte Murray spent the better part of 13 months rehabilitating a ruptured right Achilles tendon suffered on January 31, 2025, during a game against the Boston Celtics (ESPN). The injury cut short a season that had already been delayed by a left hand fracture he sustained in the 2024 preseason (CBS Sports). Before the Achilles, Murray had appeared in only 31 games.
Return timeline
By February 2026, Murray was cleared to play. The Pelicans social media account noted his return came after 389 days out (PelicansNBA on X). Interim coach James Borrego told reporters Murray was “close” and would be back on the floor within a week (Sports Illustrated). Murray himself said he felt ready to play, as reported by the Associated Press (NBA.com).
Achilles recoveries for NBA guards are notoriously uncertain; even after a return, players often lose a step laterally. The Pelicans must decide whether to ease Murray into action or trust his full workload immediately.
The implication: New Orleans was near the bottom of the Western Conference standings when Murray neared his return (NBA.com). His comeback could reshape the team’s fortunes, but only if his explosiveness returns.
Is Dejounte Murray injured?
Nature of the injury
Murray’s most recent injury is a ruptured right Achilles tendon, confirmed by multiple medical reports (ESPN). The injury occurred on January 31, 2025, and required surgery and extensive rehab (NBA.com).
Injury history
Prior to the Achilles, Murray broke his left hand in the first game of the 2024–25 season (ESPN). He also missed time with knee and ankle issues earlier in his career (Basketball-Reference).
Murray has now missed significant time in two consecutive seasons. For a player who earned a $114 million extension in 2023, the Pelicans are paying premium price for diminished availability.
The pattern: a guard built on speed and defensive tenacity faces the hardest recovery curve in professional sports. How he responds will define his prime.
How many children does Dejounte Murray have?
Names and ages of his children
Dejounte Murray has two children with his fiancée Jania. A daughter was born in 2020, and a son followed in 2022 (Instagram). Murray has not publicly released their names, but he frequently shares moments with them on social media.
The trade-off: balancing fatherhood and an NBA recovery schedule has been a recurring theme for Murray, who posted during rehab about spending extra time with his kids.
Are Jania and Dejounte still together?
Relationship timeline
Jania and Dejounte Murray have been together since high school in Seattle (Harper’s Bazaar). They got engaged in 2023, though no wedding date has been announced as of early 2026 (Harper’s Bazaar).
Current status
As of 2026, the couple remain together and continue to co-parent their two children (Instagram). No public reports suggest any separation.
What this means: a stable family dynamic has been a consistent anchor for Murray through his injury setbacks.
What is Dejounte Murray’s net worth?
Sources of income
Murray’s estimated net worth is approximately $20 million (Celebrity Net Worth). His primary income comes from his NBA contracts, including the 4-year, $114 million extension signed in July 2023 with the Atlanta Hawks (Spotrac). He also has endorsement deals with Nike (Nike).
Contract details
After being traded to the Pelicans in July 2024, his contract carries an average annual value of $28.5 million through the 2026–27 season (Spotrac).
The upshot: Murray’s financial security is assured, but the Pelicans are paying for an All-Star level performer. His ability to regain that level after two major injuries will determine whether the contract becomes a bargain or a burden.
Confirmed facts
- Birth date: September 19, 1996 (Wikipedia)
- Height: 6 ft 4 in (Basketball-Reference)
- Draft: 2016, 29th overall (Basketball-Reference)
- Contract: 4 years, $114 million (Spotrac)
- Achilles rupture date: Jan. 31, 2025 (ESPN)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth (±$5 million range) (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Wedding date for Murray and Jania (Harper’s Bazaar)
- Full recovery of lateral quickness after Achilles (NBA.com)
- Number of children: 2 (Instagram – social media claim, not independently verified)
- Return to play: Feb. 2026 (PelicansNBA on X – team social media, no independent confirmation)
“He’s working hard every day, we’re taking it step by step.”
Willie Green, Pelicans head coach, on Murray’s recovery progress (Sports Illustrated)
“Thankful for the process, ready to get back on the floor.”
Dejounte Murray, via Instagram (Instagram)
For the Pelicans, the decision is clear: wait for Murray to regain his All-Defensive form, or risk another injury-hampered season. The franchise that traded for him is betting on the former – and the next 12 months will reveal if that bet pays off.
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Frequently asked questions
When will Dejounte Murray return to play?
Murray returned in February 2026 after a 13-month rehab from a ruptured Achilles tendon (ESPN).
What was Dejounte Murray’s draft position?
He was selected 29th overall in the 2016 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs (Basketball-Reference).
What college did Dejounte Murray attend?
He played one season at the University of Washington before entering the draft (Wikipedia).
How much did Dejounte Murray’s contract worth?
He signed a 4-year, $114 million extension with the Atlanta Hawks in 2023 (Spotrac).
Who is Dejounte Murray’s partner?
His fiancée is Jania. They have been together since high school and got engaged in 2023 (Harper’s Bazaar).
Does Dejounte Murray have any siblings?
He has a younger brother named Dametrius, who also played basketball (The Seattle Times).
What number does Dejounte Murray wear?
He wears jersey number 5 for the New Orleans Pelicans (NBA.com).
Daniel Harper is Editor-in-Chief at Coast Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.