Pelicans' Derik Queen: Scores 12 points with full line
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Queen closed Friday's 120-119 loss to Utah with 12 points (4-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals over 29 minutes.
Yves Missi needed assistance to the locker room after suffering a left knee injury during Friday's loss, and he did not return, which allowed Queen to flirt with 30 minutes. If Missi needs to miss time, Queen would likely be one of the primary beneficiaries, so he's an attractive speculative add in fantasy leagues. While earning 27.8 minutes per game as a starter last season, Queen averaged 13.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per contest on 49.8 percent shooting from the field and 78.5 percent at the stripe.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Double-doubles in 18 minutes
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Queen contributed 10 points (2-4 FG, 6-6 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and two steals over 18 minutes during Wednesday's 123-120 loss to Indiana.
Queen recorded a double-double, albeit just, delivering a solid line despite playing limited minutes off the bench. With Yves Missi having arguably the best game of his life as the starting center, it appears as though Queen is going to serve as the backup, at least for the foreseeable future. He remains a viable asset in standard leagues, with a view to increasing his value, if and when his role also increases.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Team option picked up
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The Pelicans exercised their third-year team option on Queen's contract Tuesday, Terry Kimble of SI.com reports.
The No. 13 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft is now officially under contract for the 2027-28 season. The big man averaged 11.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.9 combined steals-plus-blocks across 25.0 minutes per tilt in 81 regular-season appearances (48 starts) in his rookie season. Queen is expected to compete for minutes with Yves Missi and Karlo Matkovic in 2026-27.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Grabs 11 rebounds in preseason win
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Queen totaled six points (1-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals across 19 minutes in Wednesday's 101-97 preseason win over Dallas.
Queen struggled mightily from the field but was a force on the glass, hauling in a game-high 11 rebounds. The 21-year-old has grabbed at least eight rebounds in all three of his preseason appearances. With Zion Williamson and Yves Missi expected to occupy the starting frontcourt spots, health permitting, Queen will likely be relegated to the second unit. However, the Maryland product should still have a sizable role this year after averaging 11.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 steals across 81 regular-season games (48 starts) as a rookie in 2025-26.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Nearly triple-doubles
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Queen recorded 17 points (6-9 FG, 5-6 FT), 12 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and three steals over 37 minutes during Tuesday's 156-137 win over the Jazz.
With Zion Williamson, Saddiq Bey and Herbert Jones all sitting out despite being healthy, Queen entered the starting lineup and nearly put up a triple-double. The Pelicans have nothing on the line in the final two games of the regular season, so Queen may get another extended look or two.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Productive off bench Thursday
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Queen closed with 12 points (4-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), six rebounds, seven assists, one block and two steals in 28 minutes off the bench during Thursday's 118-106 loss to Portland.
The seven dimes represented Queen's best effort in that category since Feb. 4. The rookie center has scored in double digits in four straight games as his usage ticks back up, averaging 12.3 points, 7.0 boards, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks over that span in 24.0 minutes a contest.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Secures double-double in loss
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Queen finished with 11 points (5-13 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-3 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists and one steal in 21 minutes during Thursday's 129-108 loss to the Pistons.
Queen was one of the lone bright spots for the Pelicans in a blowout loss. He reached double digits in the scoring column after being held to nine points or fewer in three straight games, and he nabbed his first double-double since Jan. 16. Despite a solid night, consistent production has been tough to come by for the rookie, who has seen north of 20 minutes only five times in 13 March showings.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Strong line off bench
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Queen contributed 14 points (2-4 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 9-9 FT), two rebounds, two assists and one steal in 19 minutes during Wednesday's 124-109 win over the Clippers.
Queen continues to play a reduced role off the bench, but he made the most of his minutes Wednesday. Over his last seven games, he's averaging 18.6 minutes with 7.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 blocks and 0.6 three-pointers.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Fares well off bench
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Queen amassed 13 points (5-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, five assists and one block across 25 minutes during Sunday's 138-118 win over Washington.
Queen has been a volatile fantasy asset lately, but Sunday's game was a step in the right direction. Over his last eight outings, the rookie has seen 21.1 minutes per contest with 9.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 0.8 blocks on 39.7 percent shooting from the field.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Won't start vs. Golden State
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Queen won't start against the Warriors on Tuesday.
With Dejounte Murray starting in his return from a torn Achilles, the Pelicans will keep DeAndre Jordan in the starting five and deploy Queen off the bench for the first time since Nov. 14. The rookie first-rounder has averaged 12.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.2 combined steals-plus-blocks while shooting 56.4 percent from the field in 27.1 minutes per game across seven February appearances.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Productive at both ends Friday
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Queen registered 18 points (7-10 FG, 4-6 FT), nine rebounds, four assists, two blocks and three steals across 28 minutes during Friday's 139-118 loss to Milwaukee.
The rookie center just missed recording his 11th double-double of the season, and Queen's five combined steals-plus-blocks was his highest total since the calendar flipped to 2026 -- he racked up five blocks and two steals against the Bulls on New Year's Eve. Queen is still prone to some inconsistency, but over the last eight games he's flashed an impressive collection of skills, averaging 13.5 points, 6.6 boards, 3.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.1 blocks and 0.9 threes while shooting 57.1 percent from the floor and 63.6 percent (7-for-11) from long distance during that span.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Flirts with triple-double in win
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Queen posted 22 points (8-12 FG, 6-7 FT), nine rebounds, seven assists and two blocks over 34 minutes during Friday's 114-106 victory over the Grizzlies.
Queen snapped a four-game, single-digit scoring streak in Friday's win, and he did a much better job of asserting himself in the offense and taking advantage of matchups whenever he had a smaller defender on him. The Pelicans have now won three of their past four games, and they'll look to keep the good times rolling Saturday in Philadelphia.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Quiet showing Sunday
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Queen accumulated four points (2-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt), four rebounds and one assist over 17 minutes during Sunday's 104-95 win over San Antonio.
It was one of Queen's worst performances of his rookie season, and he was soundly outplayed by Yves Missi. Queen's starting role appears to be safe for now, but he certainly has some competition. Over his last appearances, Queen has averaged 8.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 23.0 minutes per contest.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Double-doubles in defeat
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Queen amassed 14 points (5-11 FG, 4-4 FT), 12 rebounds and three assists over 28 minutes during Friday's 127-119 loss to the Pacers.
After finishing with just four points on 0-of-5 shooting in Wednesday's win over the Nets, Queen bounced back Friday. The rookie big man was one of six Pelicans players to score in double figures and has posted at least 10 points in four of his last five outings. Additionally, the Maryland product grabbed a game-best 12 boards, securing his fourth double-double in eight appearances this month. During that span, Queen has averaged 10.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists across 27.1 minutes per tilt.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Double-double in Tuesday's loss
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Queen finished with 10 points (5-10 FG), 13 rebounds and five assists across 29 minutes during Tuesday's 122-116 loss to the Nuggets.
It was the ninth double-double of the season for Queen, seven of which have come in his last 14 games. Over that stretch, the rookie center is averaging 12.9 points, 9.6 boards, 4.9 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 steals in 28.1 minutes. He continues to look like something of a steal himself as the 13th overall pick in the 2025 Draft.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Triple-doubles in win
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Queen racked up 14 points (7-13 FG, 0-2 3Pt), 16 rebounds, 12 assists and two blocks over 35 minutes during Friday's 128-107 victory over the Wizards.
This was the second triple-double of Queen's career, and he set new career highs in boards and dimes. The rookie has been rolling over the past month, flirting with mid-round value behind averages of 12.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.3 blocks per contest.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Nearly triple-doubles
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Queen closed with 10 points (5-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt), 13 rebounds, eight assists and two steals over 32 minutes during Tuesday's 111-103 loss to the Lakers.
Queen nearly triple-doubled for the Pelicans, but the team dropped their eighth straight contest. Queen has put up some solid counting stats with 11.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks over his last six games, but he's shooting 41.5 percent from the field and 61.1 percent from the line over his last six games.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Will play Sunday
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Queen (quadriceps) is available for Sunday's game against the Heat.
Queen has been cleared to return from a one-game absence due to a left quadriceps contusion, so Yves Missi will likely revert to a bench role for Sunday's contest. Queen is averaging 13.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.9 blocks over 25.8 minutes per game in his rookie season.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Ruled out Friday
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Queen (quadriceps) won't play Friday against Portland, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
The rookie first-round pick was unable to clear his questionable tag for this contest. He'll likely be listed as day-to-day going forward. In his absence, the Pelicans could rely more on Yves Missi and Kevon Looney.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Swats five shots during loss
Rotowire
Queen had nine points (4-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds, four assists, five blocks and two steals over 25 minutes during Wednesday's 134-118 loss to Chicago.
Although Queen isn't lighting up the scoreboard, the 6-foot-9 rookie has excelled defensively in the paint. His five blocked shots marked his best total of the season, and he's establishing a high floor as a rebounder. He's averaging an encouraging 7.1 rebounds per game through 35 games.
