BREAKING: Pelicans rookie Derik Queen is changing the conversation in New Orleans, and he is doing it fast. Fresh off wrist surgery in July, the 13th pick is punching above his years. He stormed in with a 30-point outburst on November 20. He followed with 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists in a 39-minute showcase on December 3. With key Pelicans out, Queen has stepped into the light and grabbed a bigger role. The timing, and the poise, could not be better.
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The comeback that set the stage
Queen tore a scapholunate ligament in his left wrist in July. He had surgery on July 18. Team officials cleared him for full basketball work by mid October. This is a fast, focused recovery. It shows the work behind the scenes. It also explains the burst we are seeing now. He did not ease back in. He attacked.
His confidence is real. You can see it in the pace of his catches and the strength in his finishes. No flinch on contact. No fear posting at the nail. He plays inside the offense, yet he still finds edges to create.
Two game-changers since his return:
– 30 points on November 20, with 9 boards and impact at both rims.
– 21 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists on December 3 in an overtime grinder.
The skill set that travels
Queen’s game fits today’s NBA. He is big, strong, and skilled. He is comfortable as an elbow hub. He can play from the short roll. He reads tags and corner stunts. He hits cutters on time. He finishes through contact, and he keeps his balance. That combination is rare for a rookie big.
Angel Reese once called him Baby Jokic. The label is playful, but the point is clear. Queen sees the floor. He processes fast. He leverages angles, not just size. That is why the ball pops when he is on the court.
What Queen gives the Pelicans right now:
- Elbow playmaking that unlocks back cuts and split actions
- Short roll passing that frees shooters and drivers
- Soft touch in the paint, with patient footwork
- Strong defensive rebounding to start the break
A rotation reshaped in real time
New Orleans needed a stabilizer with stars out, including Zion Williamson. Queen has delivered. Coaches have dialed up more actions through him at the elbows. Second units are flowing through his hands. Starters are using him as a release valve late in the clock. The result is cleaner possessions and more paint touches.
He played 30 minutes in the 30-point game. He logged 39 in the December 3 overtime loss to the Timberwolves. Trust is rising. So are his reads. He is starting to change how defenses load up against New Orleans. Bigs step up to cut off his handoffs, which opens slips and weak side threes. Wings dig at his dribble, which frees the corners. The ripple effect is obvious on film.
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What scouts are circling
The tape shows great touch, strong hands, and poise. He does not rush. He plays off two feet. He is already manipulating defenders with fakes and eyes. The questions are the usual rookie ones. Can he keep his foul rate in check. Can he own the glass every night. Can he bring consistent rim protection without biting on every fake. If the answers trend up, the ceiling rises, fast.
Two keys to watch next:
– Wrist management, both workload and contact tolerance
– Foul discipline in space against quicker 4s and 5s
What it means for the Pelicans
Queen’s surge changes the math for the rotation. New Orleans can play bigger without losing pace. They can run more split cuts and delay actions with him as the trigger. They can stagger him to cover non-star minutes. When the roster heals, his role will not vanish. His passing and touch scale with talent. That is the mark of a long-term piece.
The best part, he is still 19, with a Big Ten Freshman of the Year run behind him. He averaged about 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds at Maryland. Those habits have carried over. The Pelicans can feel it, and opponents can, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is Derik Queen in the spotlight right now?
A: He returned from wrist surgery in October and has delivered big rookie games, including 30 points on November 20 and 21-8-6 on December 3.
Q: What makes Queen’s game special?
A: Passing touch for his size, smart reads from the elbow, strong finishes, and steady rebounding. He improves ball movement.
Q: How did the injury affect his path?
A: He tore a ligament in July, had surgery on July 18, then was cleared by mid October. He has ramped up quickly.
Q: What is his role with the Pelicans?
A: A playmaking big who can anchor second units, connect sets for starters, and absorb minutes while stars are out.
Q: Where did he play in college?
A: Maryland, where he starred as a freshman and earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year and First Team honors.
The bottom line, Derik Queen is not waiting his turn. He is taking it. The Pelicans needed stability and spark, and the rookie supplied both. If this is the floor, New Orleans just found another pillar for the future 💪.
