Queen ended Wednesday's 122-88 loss to the Nuggets with four points (2-5 FG, 0-2 FT), eight rebounds and one steal over 14 minutes.
Queen saw his playing time decrease after Zion Williamson (foot) returned from a one-game absence, but the rookie was still able to pull down eight rebounds in 14 minutes. Benches cleared late in the second half due to the blowout nature of the game, but Queen's next opportunity to produce would be Friday against the Clippers, which marks the kickoff of the in-season NBA Cup.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Will play in season opener
Rotowire
Queen (wrist) has been cleared to play in Wednesday's season opener against the Grizzlies.
Queen went down with a torn ligament in his left wrist during the Las Vegas Summer League, which resulted in him missing the entire preseason. Queen will likely see some time right out of the gate to start his rookie campaign with Kevon Looney dealing with a knee injury.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Expected to play
Rotowire
Queen (wrist) is expected to play in Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies, Erin Summers of the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network reports.
Pelicans coach Willie Green said Queen would be evaluated after Tuesday's practice, but if all goes well, he's expected to get the green light to suit up. Queen sustained a torn scapholunate ligament in his left wrist during a Summer League game in July and ended up missing the preseason for the Pelicans. With Kevon Looney (knee) sidelined, Queen could see some run behind Yves Missi.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Cleared to return
Rotowire
Queen (wrist) has been cleared to resume full basketball activities, Marc J. Spears of ESPN.com reports.
Queen sustained a torn scapholunate ligament in his left wrist during a Summer League game in July and had surgery to address it. With this clearance, Queen may be able to appear in the Pelicans' regular-season opener Wednesday against the Grizzlies.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Unavailable Thursday
Rotowire
Queen (wrist) was held out of Thursday's 132-125 preseason loss to the Magic.
Queen has been rehabbing from left wrist surgery and isn't yet cleared to return to game action. His next chance to return will arrive during the regular-season opener Wednesday in Memphis.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Doesn't play Tuesday
Rotowire
Queen (wrist) didn't play in Tuesday's 130-128 preseason loss to the Rockets.
Queen is still recovering from left wrist surgery he underwent in mid-July, and there remains no timetable for his return to game action. His final opportunity to suit up in the preseason will come Thursday against the Magic.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Return timeline still uncertain
Rotowire
Queen (wrist) is participating in conditioning activities, but he remains without a definitive timeline for a return to play, Jim Eichenhofer of the Pelicans' official site reports.
Queen underwent surgery to repair a torn scapholunate ligament in his left wrist in mid-July and was scheduled to be re-evaluated in approximately 12 weeks, so it's not surprising he has not yet been cleared for training camp this fall. The rookie first-rounder still has time to be ready for Opening Night, though the Pelicans would figure to proceed with caution. Yves Missi (rest) would operate as the clear top center if Queen isn't available to start the season, and Kevon Looney would handle the backup role.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Double-doubles in SL loss
Rotowire
Queen racked up 17 points (5-11 FG, 7-8 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal across 28 minutes in Tuesday's 93-87 Summer League loss to the Trail Blazers.
Queen provided a full stat line, leading the Pelicans in rebounds and tying the team high in assists. He also finished as the team's second-leading scorer. The Maryland product has now recorded a double-double in all three of his Summer League appearances, averaging 14.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 blocks across 27.3 minutes per game.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Double-doubles in SL loss
Rotowire
Queen finished with 12 points (4-12 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-6 FT), 13 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block across 27 minutes during Saturday's 94-81 Summer League loss to the Lakers.
Queen has now had back-to-back double-doubles during his first stint in the Summer League. The Maryland product crashed the glass Saturday, racking up a game-high 13 boards while also finishing as one of only three players for New Orleans to crack double digits in the scoring column.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Double-double in SL debut
Rotowire
Queen totaled 13 points (5-9 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-4 FT), 10 rebounds and three assists across 27 minutes in Thursday's 98-91 Summer League loss to the Timberwolves.
Queen showcased his interior skills in his Summer League debut, posting a double-double. The center was taken with the No. 13 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft after averaging 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds on 52.6 percent shooting over 36 games as a freshman at Maryland. While there's still room for growth defensively, Queen's offensive tools and finishing touch give him clear potential to be a productive NBA player.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Goes No. 13 to NOP
Rotowire
Queen was selected by the Pelicans with the No. 13 overall pick in the NBA Draft.
Atlanta made the pick for New Orleans, so Queen is headed to the Pelicans as part of a trade that sent the 23rd pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and a 2026 first-rounder to the Hawks, Shams Charania of ESPN reports. Queen is a bit undersized for the center position, standing at 6-foot-9, but he's a skilled passer and an excellent finisher with both hands. The Maryland product was comfortable putting the ball on the floor and excelled as a rebounder. His jumper is a big question mark, as he shot just 20 percent from three at the college level. Additionally, Queen could be targeted in pick-and-roll actions early in his NBA career, considering his lack of size and somewhat sluggish movement. He'll likely begin his professional career as Yves Missi's (ankle) backup, but there isn't much more competition at center outside of Missi.
