HOUSTON – Rookie Dejounte Murray will start at point guard in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich announced Friday during his pre-game media session.
Popovich declined to elaborate on the decision, other than to say, “We just think that’s the best idea for our team, to start Dejounte.”
Popovich is turning to Murray after Tony Parker’s postseason, and possibly his career, ended Wednesday night when he suffered a ruptured left quadriceps in the fourth quarter of the Spurs’ 121-96 victory over the Rockets in Game 2.
Starting Murray leaves the Spurs’ rotation intact, leaving Patty Mills to continue to come off the bench as an offensive spark.