No Williamson or Wembanyama so these two teens stole the show

New Orleans has been getting things wrong for a long time. The Louisiana franchise is one of the NBA’s worst in just about every category. So when they sent their No. 23 pick and an unprotected 2026 first-rounder to Atlanta in exchange for the No. 13 selection, plenty of people figured they were messing up again. That unprotected pick in next year’s draft is tracking to be extremely high. With a 3–22 record, the Pelicans currently have the worst mark in the league. But over the summer, the front office clearly did not expect to end up here. Every move they made points in that direction, and this one stands out. If you think you’re going to finish last, you don’t casually give up your next first-round pick.

Stand up Baby Jokic

Beyond the Pelicans’ misguided confidence in a far more ambitious season, they must have seen something in the player Atlanta selected at No. 13. Derik Queen, a 6-foot-9 center (2.06 meters), isn’t especially tall for his position, but he’s already earned the nickname Baby Jokic. In less than two months in the NBA, he has become one of the best passing big men in the league, with vision far beyond his years. Some are already calling him the steal of this draft. And although the Pelicans’ decision to trade up for him remains controversial and widely debated, nights like this one against the San Antonio Spurs offer at least a sliver of hope that, every once in a while, the people running the franchise can still get something right.

The Spurs won 135–132 in a roller-coaster game that unfolded without either team’s star. Zion Williamson has become a fading presence in New Orleans – at least at the level once expected when he arrived in 2019. Victor Wembanyama, meanwhile, continued to ramp up his recovery in hopes of playing tomorrow against the Lakers in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. Even without them, the game was wildly entertaining, swinging in two dramatic waves. First, the Spurs built a huge lead, up 20 at the break after dropping 42 points in the second quarter. Everything flipped after halftime. This time it was the Pelicans who exploded for 45 in the third, and Queen was the force behind it.

The rookie poured in 21 of his 33 points in those 12 minutes, a burst he carried into the final period to finish with 33 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and 4 blocks. He became just the fifth rookie in the last three decades to post a 30-point triple-double, and the eighth player since blocks were first recorded to reach that stat line. Queen was not only the best player on the floor, he nearly became the hero after two late baskets briefly gave New Orleans the lead. But another rookie stole the spotlight: Dylan Harper. The No. 2 pick came off the bench with Stephon Castle returning to the lineup, yet still emerged as San Antonio’s standout performer with 22 points, 6 assists and the game-winner with nine seconds left.

The two were, fittingly, co-MVPs of the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Game, the showcase for America’s top high-school talent. Now they are taking their first steps in the NBA, where it already looks like they’ll be making noise for years to come.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.