The New Orleans Pelicans have parted ways with head coach Willie Green, following a disappointing 2-10 start to the current NBA season. The decision was announced on Saturday by Joe Dumars, the Pelicans’ Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, who has appointed James Borrego as the interim coach.
Borrego, who has previous head coaching experience with the Charlotte Hornets from 2018 to 2022, steps into the role just in time for the Pelicans’ next game against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night. Borrego also served as interim head coach for the Orlando Magic during the 2014-15 season, bringing a wealth of experience to the position.
Green’s tenure began in 2021, when he was hired by former Pelicans basketball operations chief David Griffin for his first head coaching role. Over his four-plus seasons, Green led the Pelicans to a record of 150 wins and 190 losses. Under his leadership, the team made the playoffs twice but was eliminated in the first round, losing to the Phoenix Suns in 2022 and the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2024. The Pelicans also reached the Western Conference play-in tournament in 2023, only to be defeated by the Thunder at that stage.
Despite Dumars opting to retain Green during the offseason, the team’s slow start this season proved to be a turning point. The Pelicans encountered a rough opening, suffering through a six-game losing streak that included three losses by over 30 points. Although the team managed to secure two consecutive victories, they have since faced another setback, losing four straight games, including a recent 118-104 defeat against the Los Angeles Lakers in NBA Cup play.
The Pelicans’ decision to make a coaching change reflects a critical moment in the franchise’s pursuit of success. With a new interim coach at the helm, the team will be looking to turn its fortunes around in the coming games as the pressure mounts to improve their standings in the competitive Western Conference.