Jokic Praises Rookie Derik Queen After Breakout Performance in Pelicans’ Loss to Nuggets

The New Orleans Pelicans’ season has offered few bright spots, but Wednesday night delivered one of their most promising developments yet. In the team’s 125–118 loss to the Denver Nuggets, rookie center Derik Queen delivered a commanding performance that immediately drew praise from one of the NBA’s greatest big men. While the Pelicans slipped to the bottom of the Western Conference standings at 2–13, Queen’s emergence provided a rare moment of optimism.

Queen’s 30-point outing stood out not only for its production but for the context in which it came: a head-to-head meeting with two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets star quickly took note of Queen’s efficiency, touch and creativity, offering genuine admiration for the first-year center’s skill set. The acknowledgement added credibility to Queen’s breakout, underscoring his potential as a long-term building block.

For the Pelicans, Queen’s performance highlighted both his individual talent and the flashes of competitiveness their young roster has occasionally shown. While New Orleans’ defensive lapses and cold shooting stretches proved costly, the rookie’s ability to carry offensive stretches demonstrated a maturity beyond his experience.

The night ultimately belonged to Denver, whose second- and third-quarter surge proved decisive. But the matchup also introduced a compelling new frontcourt storyline—one where the league’s premier center recognized the promise of his newest challenger.

1. Jokic Takes Notice of a Newcomer

Derik Queen’s stat line—30 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks—quickly captured attention, but it was Nikola Jokic’s postgame reaction that amplified the significance of the night. Speaking to reporters, Jokic complimented the rookie’s touch around the rim and his unconventional style, calling his game “different” in a positive way. Jokic also noted Queen’s feel for the game and ability to generate quality looks in traffic, traits often rare for first-year bigs adjusting to NBA pace and physicality. The Nuggets star even acknowledged a slight resemblance to aspects of his own playing style, adding a layer of intrigue to their first matchup. Reporters asked Queen about his on-court exchanges with Jokic, leading to one of the night’s lightest moments. Queen quipped that he attempted to speak to Jokic during the game, but “he didn’t really say nothing,” drawing laughs about the silent competitiveness between the two. While Jokic and Denver secured the win, the respect shown for Queen signaled that the rookie’s arrival had made a strong impression on one of the league’s most respected figures.

2. Pelicans Falter After Strong Start

New Orleans opened the game with energy and efficiency, taking a 30–26 lead after the first quarter. Early defensive intensity and sustained pressure in transition gave the Pelicans momentum, but their advantage quickly faded. Denver responded forcefully, outscoring the Pelicans 71–53 across the second and third quarters, effectively taking control. The Nuggets leaned heavily on perimeter shooting and ball movement to break open the game. Denver finished with 11 made threes and 35 assists, consistently generating well-spaced opportunities that stressed New Orleans’ defense. The Pelicans, in contrast, struggled to match that rhythm, converting only seven threes and recording 25 assists. Despite the loss, several Pelicans contributed strong individual performances. Trey Murphy III chipped in 23 points and delivered an all-around effort with five steals, three assists and a block. His shooting—7-for-14 overall and 5-for-12 from three—helped keep New Orleans competitive in stretches. Jeremiah Fears added 16 points and three rebounds, while Zion Williamson posted 14 points, six rebounds and five assists. But the collective scoring output wasn’t enough to overcome defensive breakdowns and Denver’s sustained offensive execution.

3. Searching for Stability in a Difficult Season

The defeat dropped New Orleans to 2–13, positioning them at the bottom of the Western Conference with growing urgency to stabilize their season. They now sit one game behind Sacramento and 1.5 games back of Dallas, with early-season deficits threatening to widen if results don’t improve soon. Queen’s emergence offers a silver lining in an otherwise challenging stretch. The rookie’s size, touch and composure have given the Pelicans a new interior option capable of creating offense and anchoring defensive sequences. His development could influence rotation adjustments as the coaching staff seeks more consistent production. The Pelicans’ broader issues remain tied to perimeter defense, turnovers and inconsistent shooting—areas that have repeatedly undermined competitive starts. Finding continuity in their playmaking and half-court offense will be essential as they attempt to climb out of the conference basement. Their next opportunity comes on Nov. 21, when New Orleans travels to face the Dallas Mavericks in another NBA Cup group-stage matchup. The contest offers a chance to build off individual growth while searching for a collective breakthrough.