Jordan Hawkins has been praised this season by coach Willie Green for his ability and maturity, and the 14th pick showed why on Monday for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Hawkins produced a career-high 31 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one steal in a 134-116 loss to the Denver Nuggets. He shot 10-of-19 from the field, including 7-of-14 from 3-point range, in 38 minutes in his fourth start of the season.
He is one of 25 rookies all time to record at least 30 points with seven 3-pointers in a game, joining Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Jason Kidd and Rick Berry.
“He is fearless,” Green said. “When he is open, he is going to shoot it. He is aggressive. The beauty of it is Brandon (Ingram), Z (Zion Williamson) and all of his teammates, Larry (Nance Jr.), are looking for him. To have the floor spaced for those guys with moving and cutting and player movement and ball movement is beautiful to watch. We just got to do it for 48 minutes.”
Hawkins is the second rookie this year to score at least 30 points in a game (Victor Wembanyama, 38 points). He is one of six Pelicans rookies with a 30-point game, joining Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Darren Collison, Marcus Thornton and JR Smith.
His seven 3s are the most by a first-year player in a game this year; the 21-year-old leads the rookie class so far (20). He is tied with Lauri Markkanen for the most 3-pointers through the first seven games of a career.
“I came in here just telling myself to keep your head down and work hard, and that’s what I’ve been doing,” Hawkins said. “I know I can shoot the ball. Shooting the ball is a vital key for every team, so that’s helped me a lot, as well.”
Jordan Hawkins vs Denver Nuggets
31 PTS
7 REB
3 AST
1 STL
10/19 FG
7/14 3P#Pelicans L @golive23 pic.twitter.com/I3z1tehkjy— A Walking Highlight (@11AWH) November 7, 2023
Hawkins is averaging 12.6 points, four rebounds and 1.7 assists on 36.4% shooting from 3-point range. The Pelicans turned to Hawkins last week to start in place of Ingram, who was dealing with a knee injury, and have opted to mostly keep him with the first group.
He has given the Pelicans a good floor-spacing option, which was on display versus the Nuggets. The opportunity to start will continue to help Hawkins develop, and the former UConn standout is grateful.
“It is great,” Hawkins said. “Not a lot of guys, especially rookies, are fortunate to get put in the situation I’m in. I am blessed to have the coaching staff I have and all of the teammates I have. I’m in a great situation, and I can’t complain about anything.”
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