Forward Zion Williamson returned to the court on Wednesday after missing the previous eight games due to a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, and the Pelicans played better than they had in the past week, writes Les East of NOLA.com. However, it wasn’t enough against the Nuggets. New Orleans lost its seventh consecutive game, and now has losing streaks of six and seven games sandwiching its only two victories of the season.
Despite not having registered a win since taking over for Willie Green as the Pelicans’ head coach last Saturday, James Borrego was encouraged by what he saw from Williamson, who was a +14 during his 29 minutes of action. The club was outscored by 21 points in the 19 minutes the former No. 1 overall pick didn’t play.
“He got us off to a really good start,” Borrego said after the loss. “His energy and spirit are really important for the team, the city and the organization. We feel like we have a shot every night when he’s on the floor. We didn’t drop the sword tonight, and that’s his spirit.”
Here’s more out of New Orleans:
- Williamson went through a full practice on Thursday and isn’t listed on the injury report for Friday’s game in Dallas, but it’s not yet clear whether he’ll be cleared to play in back-to-backs coming off his latest hamstring injury, tweets William Guillory of The Athletic. The Pelicans will return home after their matchup with the Mavericks to host Atlanta on Saturday.
- Rookie big man Derik Queen continues to be one of the bright spots in New Orleans amid the team’s disappointing 2-13 start. He led the club with 30 points and nine rebounds in Wednesday’s loss, shooting 12-of-18 from the floor and chipping in four assists, two steals, and two blocks. Borrego referred to the performance as an “impressive first go” at three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, a player that Queen has “looked up to for many years,” as Rod Walker of NOLA.com relays. “He’s an amazing player,” Jokic said after the game. “You can see some similarities (to me). I don’t want people to see him and tell him he’s something like me. He’s a good enough player to have his own story.”
- With the Pelicans’ front office facing scrutiny for some of its offseason decisions, Shamit Dua of In The N.O. shares an interesting new detail on the team’s basketball operations department, writing that Joe Dumars‘ son, 34-year-old Jordan Dumars, has become part of management’s inner circle. The Pelicans never formally announced the hiring of the younger Dumars, but sources who spoke to Dua describe Jordan, his father, and senior VP of basketball operations Troy Weaver as being “attached at the hip.” The team told Dua that Jordan’s title is “basketball operations consultant” and confirmed that he has been participating in basketball strategy meetings and discussions.
That draft night trade with the Hawks will haunt them. Wtf Joe Dumars smh.
Everyone killed the Pels for that trade up to get Derik Queen but this kid is the real deal and he’s proving it.
He has been impressive. Impressive enough they could have taken him with their first pick and not given up their first for this year.
They wouldn’t have Jeremiah Fears if they’d done that and he’s been very good to start the season as well.
krumbledkookie:
It’s not the player that people dislike, it’s the trade that people dislike. He still has to play at a very high level consistently to make that trade look good.
Jokic is a true center. Who has changed the center position. A HOF player at his peak right now.
Queen is a Power Forward who is just getting started. And imo will bring back the PF position. Joe made a great pick up. Although he should have made the pick top 6 protected. Won’t matter when you trade Zion and get picks back. Time to build around Queen.
Queen is still rounding into shape. He is getting leaner and meaner. Zion should learn from him. The difference in one player wanting to be the best he can be. And one player trying to get all he can. Like Queen a lot. I consider him a major talent.
You’re always critical of coaches playing young guys in positions where they don’t normally play. Yet this kid played center in high school and college and now you want him at PF. That’s what makes him special, he’s quick enough to play PF and big enough to bang down low.
Zion has been leaner the last couple seasons, he just can’t seem to avoid injuries.
Queen ROY 💪
All I can say is that if the below lineup happens and stays healthy, watch out:
Queen, Zion, Jones, Murphy, Dejounte
They fired Dumars and kept Green, right? Right??