Trey Murphy and Jose Alvarado set to represent Pelicans in Rising Stars Challenge

A pair of New Orleans Pelicans will help tip off NBA All-Star Weekend.

On Friday, Trey Murphy and Jose Alvarado will suit up in the Rising Stars Challenge. Murphy is part of Team Deron, which former Utah Jazz point guard Deron Williams selected. Alvarado is a member of Team Pau, which the Spanish great and former Los Angeles Laker Pau Gasol hand-picked.

Murphy and Alvarado are two of the 10 second-year players who are part of the event. The Rising Stars Challenge also includes 11 rookies and seven G League players.

Four seven-man teams will play a three-game tournament to determine a winner.

Murphy is arguably the most improved player on the Pelicans’ roster compared to last year. As a rookie, he started one game and averaged 5.4 points in 13.9 minutes. This season, he has started 46 games and upped his scoring average to 12.9 points per contest.

Murphy has done that while maintaining efficient shooting marks. He is converting 48.1% of his looks from the field and 39.7% of his 3-point field goals.

Alvarado has continued to be a steady hand at backup point guard. He is averaging 9.1 points and 3.1 assists in 21.8 minutes. He is a harassing defender who ranks second on the team in steals.

The Pelicans chose Murphy with the 17th pick in 2021. They took Herb Jones, who was a Rising Stars participant last year, at No. 35. Alvarado was an undrafted signee who worked his way from a two-way deal to a guaranteed roster spot.

Murphy is part of the four-man field in the Slam Dunk Contest on Saturday, too. 

Zion Williamson was selected as an All-Star starter, but he won’t be able to play in Sunday’s game after re-aggravating his right hamstring injury last week.