Anticipation for the Upcoming Matchup
As the New Orleans Pelicans look forward to a rematch with the Atlanta Hawks in just 44 days, Pelicans center Derik Queen finds himself particularly motivated for the game. The sporting connection between Atlanta and New Orleans runs deep, exemplified by the rivalry between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints in the NFL. Although the Hawks and Pelicans do not have a formal rivalry in the NBA, the competitive spirit between the cities is palpable when the teams clash on the hardwood.
Recent Events and Social Media Banter
Recently, the Falcons secured a 24-10 victory over the Saints in New Orleans, concluding the game with a defining play when defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro sacked Saints quarterback Tyler Shough in the dying moments. Following this win, the Falcons took to social media to celebrate Orhorhoro’s sack with a post humorously captioned “Marked safe from Derik Queen,” nodding to the Pelicans’ young star. This playful jab was not lost on Queen, who responded by sharing the post on X, while also noting the date and time of the upcoming Hawks-Pelicans game: January 7, 2026, at 6:30 PM Central Time.
Queen’s Performance and Team Dynamics
The connection between these teams has been intensified by the backdrop of recent trades, with the Pelicans bringing Queen into the fold after swapping their No. 23 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft along with an unprotected first-round pick in 2026 to acquire the No. 13 pick from the Hawks, which they used to select him. After a competitive match where the Hawks bested the Pelicans 115-98, Queen’s performance—a solid 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals—demonstrated his potential, marking the third consecutive game where he scored at least 20 points, a feat only previously accomplished by Zion Williamson during the 2019-20 season, as noted by ESPN Research.
Looking Ahead
While both Atlanta teams enjoyed their wins over the weekend, the banter between them has only added fuel to the fire for the upcoming Pelicans versus Hawks matchup in January, which will serve as the final game of the season between the two.
