Pelicans' Derik Queen puts up numbers never before done in history of New Orleans basketball originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Matched up with Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic, New Orleans Pelicans rookie Derik Queen didn't hold back.

The Pelicans gave the Nuggets a scare as Nikola Jokic fouled out late, but a frontcourt with Jonas Valanciunas and Zeke Nnaji held off New Orleans.

At some point, reality stops knocking and simply kicks the door down. For the Pelicans, Wednesday night against Denver might have been that moment — because while New Orleans took another loss, it also watched rookie big man Derik Queen go toe-to-toe with Nikola Jokic and look like someone you can build an actual franchise around.

Associate head coach James Borrego has been named interim head coach.

The New Orleans Pelicans named James Borrego as interim head coach after the firing of Willie Green on Saturday. Here are five things to know about Borrego, a 47-year old New Mexico native.

Some New Orleans Pelicans players felt Willie Green didn’t hold Zion Williamson accountable, according to NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The Pelicans fired Green as head coach.

Exploring three top candidates who could step in as head coach for the New Orleans Pelicans if Willie Green’s tenure ends.

Green, 44, was in his fifth season as Pelicans head coach. The Pelicans are 2-9 this season, including four losses by at least 20 points. His final game was Friday's 118-104 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. A day earlier, Pelicans' owner Gayle Benson said in an interview that she was disappointed at the way the season has started.

The New Orleans Pelicans have relieved Willie Green of his duties as head coach, it was announced today by Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars. Associate Head Coach James Borrego has been named interim head coach.

This had been expected. While Green dealt with a lot of injuries on the roster, he also never maximized the talent on it.

Zion Williamson returned to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night against the Denver Nuggets after missing eight games with a strained left hamstring. The Pelicans won two games without him but have since lost six straight to fall to 2-12 this season.