The New Orleans Pelicans have dismissed head coach Willie Green following a poor start to the season with a 2-10 record. Joe Dumars, the team’s executive vice president of basketball operations, announced that James Borrego, former head coach of the Charlotte Hornets and a top assistant, will take over as interim coach. The Pelicans are set to face the Golden State Warriors at home on Sunday night.
Dumars stated that after thorough consideration, the difficult choice was made to change the head coach, expressing deep respect and gratitude for Green’s contributions to the team and community. Team owner Gail Benson, despite public pressure due to recent disappointing seasons for both the Pelicans and the NFL’s New Orleans Saints, voiced confidence in Dumars’ decisions while praising Green and his family.
Benson acknowledged Green’s valuable work with the organization but emphasized the goal of being a championship-contending team. Borrego brings experience from leading the Hornets from 2018 to 2022 and previously filling in as interim head coach in Orlando during the 2014-15 season.
Green began his head coaching career with the Pelicans in 2021 under former director of basketball operations David Griffin, compiling a 150-190 record over four seasons. His squads reached the playoffs twice but fell in the first round to Phoenix in 2022 and Oklahoma City in 2024 and lost the 2023 Western Conference Play-in Tournament to Oklahoma City.
Green’s challenges were compounded by star forward Zion Williamson’s recurring injuries, who played just 39% of the games under Green’s tenure. Williamson, the 2019 No. 1 draft pick, has been sidelined multiple times this season with foot and hamstring injuries.
Although Dumars chose to keep Green this past offseason as he entered the final year of his contract, the Pelicans’ rocky 2025-26 start—including a six-game losing streak with heavy defeats and a recent 118-104 loss to the Lakers in the NBA Cup—led to the coaching change.
Fan Take: This coaching shift highlights the high stakes and accountability within the NBA, reminding fans that sustained struggles often lead to tough decisions. It could signal a new direction for the Pelicans, which basketball fans should watch closely as it might reshape the team’s future competitiveness and impact league dynamics.
