Overview
- Queen finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and four steals in 18 minutes, scoring all 12 in the fourth quarter and adding a game-sealing steal with 13.9 seconds left.
- Coach Willie Green praised his poise and versatility, highlighting his rebounding, passing and scoring as teammates rallied after a late mistake.
- He delivered the surge with Zion Williamson out at least a week due to a hamstring injury, as veteran DeAndre Jordan boosted his confidence and leadership in the locker room.
- Queen says he accelerated his return through conditioning and film study and is adjusting to NBA pace and rules such as defensive three seconds and a shorter shot clock.
- New Orleans traded an unprotected 2026 first-round pick to move up for Queen, and his breakout showing likely earned him more minutes as he targets All-Rookie honors and Rookie of the Year.