Nuggets @ Pelicans Takeaway

Chrissy Smith • November 21, 2025

Team Stats

(Nuggets at Pelicans)

Final Score: 125-118

Rebounds: 41-44

Assists: 35-25

Blocks: 1-5

Steals: 8-12

Turnovers: 20-12

Stat Leaders

Scoring Leaders: Peyton Watson, 32; Derik Queen, 30

Rebound Leaders: Peyton Watson, 12; Derik Queen, 9

Assist Leaders: Nikola Jokić, 10; Zion Williamson, 5

My Player of the Game: Derik Queen

Chrissy's Key Takeaways

* Rookie Derik Queen went toe-to-toe against one of the best big men in the NBA and was incredible. Nikola Jokić had some nice things to say about Queen after the game.

* Zion Williamson was back from a hamstring injury and having him on the court helped out a lot with the spacing. Hopefully he can stay healthy because it makes a big difference when he is on the court.

* Trey Murphy has found his stroke and is playing like we all knew he could this year.

* All three rookies are really dynamic and playing big roles on this New Orleans squad.

* Yes, the Pelicans are 2-13 on the season, but there has been an improvement in the play calls, lineups, and offensive since James Borrego took over.

* The Pelicans play in a cup game Friday night at 7:30 pm at the Dallas Mavericks.

Follow @TheKneaux on X, and follow me there too, @SportsChrissy.

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Thunder @ Pelicans Takeaways

By Chrissy Smith • November 18, 2025

Team Stats (Thunder at Pelicans) Final Score: 126-109 Rebounds: 38-35 Assists: 30-21 Blocks: 5-4 Steals: 12-9 Turnovers: 16-20 Stat Leaders Scoring Leaders: Chet Holmgren, 26; Jeremiah Fears, 24 Rebound Leaders: Chet Holmgren, 9; Derik Queen, 8 Assist Leaders: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 8; Jordan Hawkins, 6 My Player of the Game: Jeremiah Fears Chrissy's Key Takeaways * The ONLY good part about tonight's game was that no matter how far down the Pelicans got in the game, adjustments kept being made by James Borrego to help the home team go on some sort of run. * The Pelicans started off the game with two turnovers, when they knew the key to the game was to minimize turnovers. And then the Thunder scored 49 points in the first quarter because at one point, the Pelicans had more turnovers than shots taken . * Where is the pride in this team? Are they OK with making paychecks and looking pitiful against every team night after night? * The defense and turnovers have to improve or who knows when this team will win another game. * The Pelicans are now 2-12 on the season. Zion and Jordan Poole are still out with their injuries. Saddiq Bey was out tonight too with some kind of injury. Follow @TheKneaux on X, and follow me there too, @SportsChrissy.

Warriors @ Pelicans Takeaways

By Chrissy Smith • November 17, 2025

Team Stats (Warriors at Pelicans) Final Score: 124-106 Rebounds: 47-45 Assists: 34-22 Blocks: 5-4 Steals: 14-11 Turnovers: 21-19 Stat Leaders Scoring Leaders: Moses Moody, 32; Trey Murphy III, 20 Rebound Leaders: Moses Moody, 8; Trey Murphy III, 8 Assist Leaders: Moses Moody, 10; Derik Queen, 6 My Player of the Game: Trey Murphy III Chrissy's Key Takeaways * This was James Borrego's first time as a head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans and his starting lineup had Derik Queen in it, which a lot of people were hoping to see. * This game did not have the outcome everyone was hoping for, especially now that Willie Green is gone, but to think Borrego will turn the team around in one game is unrealistic. * Zion needs to become available as soon as possible. Having him out is hurting this whole team. * With Zion and Jordan Poole being hurt, this season is already feeling like the past several seasons where we say, "Well if this team was healthy then they would be good." * Trey Murphy III is doing all he can and putting up great numbers but he cannot lead this team to victory alone. * The Pelicans take the court again in a back-to-back game on Monday, Nov. 16 at 7 pm against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Follow @TheKneaux on X, and follow me there too, @SportsChrissy.