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Dejounte Murray returned from a 13-month absence on Tuesday, helping the New Orleans Pelicans defeat the Golden State Warriors 113-109 at the Smoothie King Center.
Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 26 points, Saddiq Bey recorded 18 points and Murray added 13 points in his first game since suffering a right Achilles rupture on Jan. 31, 2025. Murray added three assists, two rebounds and one steal in 25 minutes as the starting point guard.
Pelicans interim coach James Borrego started DeAndre Jordan at center next to Derik Queen in their previous game on Saturday. With Murray back, Borrego opted to keep Jordan (six points, eight rebounds) in the starting lineup and move Queen (eight points, seven rebounds) to the bench.
He explained why after the game.
After taking over for Willie Green in November, Borrego named Queen as their starting center. He had started the past 45 games before Tuesday, averaging 12.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.1 steals and one block while shooting 49.7% from the field since Nov. 16.
The 13th overall pick delivered several notable performances as a starter, including two triple-doubles. He eventually became just the third player to record at least 600 points, 350 rebounds and 200 assists in fewer than 50 games to begin a career, joining Larry Bird and Ben Simmons.
While Queen had emerged as a key contributor since assuming a larger role, the 21-year-old will now be asked to bring that same production to the second unit. But it seems as though nothing is set in stone as the group looks to close out their final 23 games on a high note.
"The goal right now is to win," Borrego said. "DeAndre is moving that needle for us; Queen is moving that needle for us. We don't win this game without Queen tonight. I can't tell you what we're going to do next game. We've got to figure that out together. Is this a one-game thing, a five-game thing? I don't know. I'm just taking it one game at a time, with the focus being on winning."
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Pelicans news: James Borrego explains decision to bench Derik Queen
Continue reading...
Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 26 points, Saddiq Bey recorded 18 points and Murray added 13 points in his first game since suffering a right Achilles rupture on Jan. 31, 2025. Murray added three assists, two rebounds and one steal in 25 minutes as the starting point guard.
Pelicans interim coach James Borrego started DeAndre Jordan at center next to Derik Queen in their previous game on Saturday. With Murray back, Borrego opted to keep Jordan (six points, eight rebounds) in the starting lineup and move Queen (eight points, seven rebounds) to the bench.
He explained why after the game.
After taking over for Willie Green in November, Borrego named Queen as their starting center. He had started the past 45 games before Tuesday, averaging 12.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.1 steals and one block while shooting 49.7% from the field since Nov. 16.
The 13th overall pick delivered several notable performances as a starter, including two triple-doubles. He eventually became just the third player to record at least 600 points, 350 rebounds and 200 assists in fewer than 50 games to begin a career, joining Larry Bird and Ben Simmons.
While Queen had emerged as a key contributor since assuming a larger role, the 21-year-old will now be asked to bring that same production to the second unit. But it seems as though nothing is set in stone as the group looks to close out their final 23 games on a high note.
"The goal right now is to win," Borrego said. "DeAndre is moving that needle for us; Queen is moving that needle for us. We don't win this game without Queen tonight. I can't tell you what we're going to do next game. We've got to figure that out together. Is this a one-game thing, a five-game thing? I don't know. I'm just taking it one game at a time, with the focus being on winning."
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Pelicans news: James Borrego explains decision to bench Derik Queen
Continue reading...
