New Orleans Pelicans forward/center Derik Queen answers questions during the Rookie Introductory Press Conference at the New Orleans Pelicans Training Facility in Metairie, La., Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)
STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
Derik Queen has plenty to remember about his first Summer League game.
There was the good, like a double double in his first outing in a New Orleans Pelicans uniform. And there was his nifty behind-the-back assist to Hunter Dickinson.
But there was the not-so-good, like his rough showing in the first half. And his seven turnovers. Oh, and there was also the trip up the court when some spit from his mouthpiece flew into his eye. Yeah, he’ll probably always remember that moment too from [the Pelicans’ 98-91 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves](https://www.nola.com/tncms/asset/editorial/ab4ec1f6-7171-48e8-b77a-88e319ced482/) in Las Vegas.
Queen, drafted with the No. 13 overall pick after the Pelicans traded up 10 spots, now has the first game out the way and can hardly wait for the second one.
“Just really redemption,” Queen said about his anticipation for the next game. “I’ve got to redeem myself. I know I’ve got 82 games (in the regular season). Twitter and Instagram are probably going crazy right now. I have to redeem myself for me and all the outside noise.”
For Queen, Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. tip-off against the Los Angeles Lakers can’t get here soon enough.
He wants to show he’s more like the Queen who played in the second half Thursday than the one who played in the first half.
Queen went scoreless in the first half. But then he scored his first basket with less than four minutes remaining in the third quarter and finished the night with 13 points and 10 rebounds and 3 assists. He shot 5 of 9 from the floor and knocked down his only 3-pointer, showing off the versatility that made Pelicans’ executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars give up a 2026 first round draft pick for him.
Pelicans’ Summer League coach Corey Brewer liked what he saw in Queen’s ability to shake off the first half woes and get going in the second half.
“It shows that he’s a special player,” Brewer said. “He’s talented. The first half wasn’t going his way. I got on him at halftime and told him to just be yourself. These guys are young. Rookies. First NBA game. He bounced back great. That’s what you want to see.”
While Queen’s best half was the second half, fellow first round draft pick Jeremiah Fears played his best in the first half. Fears finished with 14 points and 2 assists. But like Queen, he also had 7 turnovers.
“It’s our first game,” Queen said. “None of us are going to be perfect. Fears knows what he’s got to do better. I know what I’ve got to do better. I feel like it was a really good debut for him.”
Fears wasn’t surprised to see Queen bounce back in the second half.
“He just continues to be resilient,” Fears said. “We saw it a ton in these past few practices. Him keeping his confidence and keeping his motor is something our teammates can learn from as well.”
Queen says he got some extra motivation in the second half from a Timberwolves' player who was trash talking him from the bench.
Now Queen wants to see his play from the second half Thursday spill over into all four quarters Saturday night against Bronny James and the Lakers.
“I feel like I have this game under my belt and I feel like I’m going to be great next game,” Queen said. “… It was kinda sloppy in the first half. But a double double is a double double. I think I flipped the switch in the second half. I feel like I got the hang of it now.”