After logging extended minutes to begin the season, New Orleans Pelicans rookie Derik Queen logged only seven minutes on Sunday in a 137-106 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Queen averaged 19.8 minutes over the first five games of the season, with center Kevon Looney sidelined with a left knee injury. However, Looney was cleared to return and debuted with the team against the Thunder, which limited Queen to just a fourth-quarter appearance.
With Looney now available to play, Queen may see a reduced role for coach Willie Green and the Pelicans at the moment. Green admitted as much on Monday after practice.
“We got Kevon back,” Green said of Queen’s drop in playing time. “So, just not enough minutes at the 5 spot right now. We’ll continue to try to mix him in when we can.”
Queen is averaging 7.3 points and 4.8 rebounds on 44.1% shooting from the field in six games. He has scored in double figures twice, including a 15-point, six-rebound performance on Oct. 24 in an overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
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As the Pelicans (0-6) have struggled to begin the 2025-26 campaign, Green & Co. will undoubtedly continue to evaluate their lineups and rotations, so Queen could eventually be thrust into a larger role after having a productive start to the season.
The group is searching for answers to shake off their winless start. The players on the roster, including Queen and fellow rookie Jeremiah Fears, are continuing to work and have maintained a positive attitude both on and off the court, aiming to turn things around.
“They have been fine,” Green said. “Both of those guys are working their tails off. They are still enjoying the process, enjoying the opportunity to have this platform and play on an NBA level.”