The New Orleans Pelicans have announced the firing of head coach Willie Green following a disappointing start to the NBA season. The team floundered to a 2-10 record, marred by a putrid four-game losing streak. This included a backbreaking 118-104 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. That it took further notice to announce this on a Saturday reflects the board’s urgency to correct their plight on the court.
Willie Green is in his fifth season as the Pelicans’ head coach. He came to the team in 2021, after serving on the coaching staff for the Phoenix Suns, who finished that season in 1st place in the Western Conference. In his full-time tenure in New Orleans, Green posted a record of 150-190. He guided the team to playoff berths in the 2021-22 and 2023-24 seasons. His most notable achievement was leading the team to 49 wins during the 2023-24 campaign, although they were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
New Orleans’ issues this season have been deepened by injuries, most notably to franchise player Zion Williamson. Williamson has played in just five games. A persistent long-term hamstring injury has marred four straight seasons. Sadly, the lack has had a severe effect on the team’s performance. Consequently, they currently sit at the bottom of the bottom five for offensive and defensive ratings.
Here’s what Joe Dumars, the Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, had to say about Green as he moved on. He focused on how difficult this decision was for him.
“After careful evaluation, we have made the difficult decision to make a change at head coach,” – Joe Dumars
Dumars likewise praised Green’s work with the Pelicans and in the time spent on the local community.
“I have the utmost respect for Willie Green, and I’m sincerely appreciative of his contributions to the Pelicans organization and the New Orleans community. We wish him and his family all the best in the future.” – Joe Dumars
Green’s tenure was not without challenges. This season, the Pelicans were the first in NBA history to do so. They became the first team in NFL history to lose three of their first six games by 30 or more points. They set a dubious standard for defense, permitting at least 120 points in five straight games to begin the season. This victory would be a franchise first.
With Green’s exit Borrego, the current assistant coach who joined the Spurs’ staff in 2020, will be the interim head coach. Borrego has an even more impressive resume. This year, he was a finalist for head coaching positions with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the offseason, he was offered lead assistant jobs by both the New York Knicks and the Denver Nuggets. He chose not to go to the Pelicans after all.
As the beleaguered team attempts to shake off years of misfortune and malaise, they have a long road ahead. To unlock their full potential, the Pelicans must clean up their offensive sloppiness and defensive breakdowns and learn to play through injuries. With significant changes in place, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Borrego leads the team moving forward.
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