The New Orleans Pelicans fell just short in a 132–135 thriller against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night at Smoothie King Center, slipping to 3–22 on the season. But even in defeat, the night belonged to rookie center Derik Queen, who delivered a breakout performance and broke multiple NBA records in the process.
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Derik Queen Breaks Multiple NBA Records In Pelicans-Spurs Game
Queen was selected 13th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, and while the Pelicans remain far from competitive, the rookie big man is rapidly emerging as one of the brightest standouts of his class. Monday night’s showdown against the San Antonio Spurs further cemented that rise.
Against San Antonio, Queen erupted for 33 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and four blocks, shooting 11-of-15 from the field and 11-of-13 from the free-throw line in just 33 minutes.
DERIK QUEEN IS DIFFERENT.
33 PTS
10 REB
10 AST
4 BLK
11/15 FG pic.twitter.com/7BbyBmNh1B
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) December 9, 2025
With that performance, Queen became only the fourth rookie in NBA history to record a triple-double featuring double-digit field goals and double-digit made free throws, joining Michael Jordan, Elgin Baylor, and Oscar Robertson.
According to ESPN, he also became the first rookie center in league history to record a 30-point triple-double, and just the 5th player in NBA history to drop a 30-point triple-double before turning 21.
“Special night for him,” Pelicans interim coach James Borrego said afterward. “He was great. He did a really good job defensively, on the boards, and controlled the offense. We ran a lot of our stuff through him. He was fantastic.”
The game itself was a battle of rising stars. Spurs No. 2 pick Dylan Harper delivered a career-high 22 points and put San Antonio ahead for good with a strong drive past Saddiq Bey in the final 10 seconds. Queen had a chance to answer, but his potential game-winner bounced off the front rim, forcing him to foul De’Aaron Fox, who sealed the 135–132 victory at the line.
Queen’s dominance was most evident in a spectacular third quarter, where he piled up 21 points and five assists without a turnover. This achievement made him just the fourth player in the play-by-play era to record a quarter with at least 20 points and five assists without a turnover, joining LeBron James, Brandon Ingram, and Tyus Jones.
His performance fueled a 45–23 Pelicans run that briefly shifted momentum before the Spurs closed strong in the fourth.
San Antonio improved to 16–7, continuing their surge near the top of the West. The Pelicans, meanwhile, remain anchored to the bottom of the conference at 3–22, holding the league’s worst record. Even so, Queen’s rapid ascent has become one of the rare bright spots in an otherwise difficult season for New Orleans.