New Orleans Pelicans rookie Derik Queen registered another double-double on Saturday, and the 13th pick earned a shout-out from teammate Zion Williamson afterward.
Queen produced 17 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and one steal in a 128-109 win over the Indiana Pacers. He shot a perfect 8-of-8 from the field and was a plus-22 in 27 minutes as the Pelicans won a season-high fourth straight game.
The 20-year-old is one of three rookies to record a double-double in consecutive games this season. He is the first rookie to have at least 15 points and 10 rebounds on 100% shooting from the field in a game since Dereck Lively II (December 2023).
“He made shots,” Pelicans interim coach James Borrego said. “He is an efficient player. I thought he had a good mixture of passing and scoring tonight, obviously, rebounding. He got 10 rebounds tonight. I thought he did a good job on the board, but overall, just an efficient game.”
Queen is averaging 13 points, 6.7 rebounds, four assists and one steal on 51.4% shooting from the field in 29 appearances with the Pelicans. He is tied for second in double-doubles among rookies (4) and is one of three first-year players with multiple 30-point games.
The former Maryland standout became a full-time starter on Nov. 16 and has delivered several notable performances, including a triple-double on Dec. 8. The group has been pleased with his showing and believes there is plenty of potential to tap into this season.
Queen is emerging as one of the top rookies after a productive start to the season. He is impressing those around him and appears to have solidified himself as a franchise cornerstone for the foreseeable future.
“D.Q. is a great player,” Williamson said. “He is a really great player. He lets the game come to him. He is very efficient. For him, an off night could be something like tonight, and it was a smooth, good night for him. He is a special talent, and I’m glad he is with us.”