NEW ORLEANS (AP) — When Pelicans rookie Derik Queen missed a late shot for the lead against the San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans guard Jose Alvarado hustled over to him and pushed his palm up under his chin in an expression of encouragement.

The Pelicans felt Queen had nothing to be ashamed of after recording his first NBA triple double — 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists — in just his 25th game.

“We wouldn’t have been in the game without him,” said Alvarado who passed the ball to Queen in the final seconds of New Orleans’ 135-132 loss to the Spurs on Monday night. “We live with that shot every day, make or miss. He’s hot. … I told him 10 out of 10 times I’m doing the same thing all over so keep your head high.”

The Pelicans took a risk to draft Queen, trading first-round draft

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