“Battle of the Stats: New Orleans Pelicans Take on Sacramento Kings”

Three prized rookie players in the NBA are set to showcase their skills as the New Orleans Pelicans collide with the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night.

In a clash between two of the league’s struggling teams, Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears from the Pelicans, alongside Maxime Raynaud from the Kings, are looking to build on their recent performances that have propelled them into contention for NBA All-Rookie accolades.

In their previous face-off in New Orleans last month, Fears and Raynaud delivered standout performances. Fears made an impact off the bench with 20 points in a dominant 120-94 victory for the Pelicans, while Raynaud countered with a solid 21 points and an impressive 19 rebounds.

Queen, the 13th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft from Maryland, contributed eight points for the Pelicans in that matchup. Currently, he holds a statistical advantage over Fears and Raynaud as they compete with other rookies for All-Rookie team spots.

The trio is on track to meet the required 65-game threshold for postseason award consideration.

Queen showcased a 19-point performance in a recent loss to the Los Angeles Clippers but was limited to two points in the following game against the Lakers. He leads qualified rookies in rebounds per game with 7.2 and ranks eighth in points per game at 12.0.

Fears, a guard drafted seventh overall from Oklahoma, boasts stronger scoring numbers, ranking fifth in the league with 13.3 points per game and standing second in steals per game with 1.2.

Standing tall at 7-foot-1, Raynaud leads the double-double category with 13 to Queen’s 10, trailing closely in rebounds with 7.2 per game and ranking 11th in scoring with 10.7 points per game.

While Queen faced struggles in the initial games of the Pelicans’ six-game road trip, Fears excelled coming off the bench, contributing an average of 15.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in the last four games where New Orleans went 2-2.

Coach James Borrego praised Fears’ recent performances, highlighting his growth and positive impact on the team.

Raynaud, selected 42nd overall from Stanford, has been the standout player among the three recently, recording double-doubles in six of the last nine games and averaging 15.8 points and 11.0 rebounds over that stretch.

Despite his individual success, Raynaud blamed himself for the Kings’ recent defeat against the Phoenix Suns, emphasizing the impact of offensive rebounds in the game.

With the Kings holding the least number of wins in the league at 14, and the Pelicans just five victories ahead, the upcoming game will be crucial for both teams. A win for the Pelicans would push them to the 20-win mark, whereas a loss would mark the Kings’ 50th loss in the last five seasons.

The Pelicans and the Kings are scheduled to face each other again on April 3 in Sacramento.

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Article written on 05/03/2026 10:27. Source: NBA.com

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