The New Orleans Pelicans' losing skid extended to seven games after a narrow 135-132 defeat at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night. In a game devoid of the teams' luminary figures, with the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama and the Pelicans' Zion Williamson on the sidelines due to injuries, it was the rookie Derik Queen who grabbed the spotlight. Queen not only recorded his first career triple-double but also became the first rookie in NBA history to put up at least 25 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and four blocks in a game, as per NOLA.com.
Despite the Herculean efforts by Queen, who finished with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, the Pelicans could not seal the deal. "The stats are cool," Queen told NOLA.com, "but I just want to win." The game saw the Pelicans attempt to fiercely come back from a 20-point halftime deficit. They managed to outscore the Spurs 45-23 in the third quarter, which allowed them to swing swiftly into the lead entering the final quarter, a detail highlighted by both FOX8Live and WDSU.
Joining Queen in his impressive performance was Trey Murphy, who scored 32 points, and the returning Herb Jones, who added 17 points. Jones, who had been out with a right calf injury for eight games, made an immediate impact, with Pelicans interim head coach James Borrego praising his energy and focus upon return. "Herb doesn't ease his way into stuff," Borrego said in a statement obtained by NOLA.com. "He only knows one way to play."
On the opposing side, the Spurs were led by Harrison Barnes and rookie Dylan Harper, who scored 24 and 22 points respectively. It was Harper's go-ahead driving floater with nine seconds left that eventually sealed the game for the Spurs. San Antonio's proficiency from beyond the arc was stark, with the team hitting 17-of-36 3-pointers. The Pelicans, on the other hand, struggled to match that efficiency, making just 7 out of 26 attempts from three-point range, a comparative analysis echoed by NOLA.com. Despite the loss, the Pelicans did outscore the Spurs in the paint, 84-62, and racked up a substantial 35 assists on 51 field goals, showcasing their ability to share and move the ball adeptly in the second half.
As the final moments of the game played out, Queen missed a critical 3-pointer with the Pelicans trailing by a single point and only 3.8 seconds remaining. San Antonio's De’Aaron Fox hit two free throws, leaving New Orleans with one last gasp attempt, which ultimately fell short as Saddiq Bey's rushed three-point shot bounced off the rim at the buzzer. "It was a special performance," said Borrego, encapsulating Queen's outstanding effort that foreshadowed a bright future, despite the outcomes yet to fully reflect in the win column, attested by WDSU.
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