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The NBA season is less than a month long, but the New Orleans Pelicans have already made one big change. Willie Green is no longer the Pelicans’ head coach after just 12 games, the team confirmed Saturday.
The Pelicans have lost their last four games and sit at 2-10 entering Sunday’s game against the Golden State Warriors.
“After careful evaluation, we have made the difficult decision to make a head coaching change,” Joe Dumars, Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations, said in a statement. “I have the utmost respect for Willie Green and sincerely appreciate his contributions to the Pelicans organization and the New Orleans community. We wish him and his family all the best in the future.”
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New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green looks on against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Smoothie King Center. (Stephen Lew/Imagn Images)
To make matters worse, New Orleans started the season with a six-game loss and lost key players to injury. Zion Williamson’s availability was once again limited by a hamstring problem that caused his latest setback.
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Williamson, the top selection in the 2019 NBA Draft, has dealt with some form of hamstring issue in each of the last four seasons. Williamson is averaging 22.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists in five games this season.
The Pelicans defense has been a problem early in the season. New Orleans has failed to hold any opponent below 101 points.
Assistant James Borrego has been named interim coach of the Pelicans. Borrego received interest from several NBA teams during the 2024 head coaching cycle, but ultimately chose to stay with the Pelicans.
James Borrego looks on during a game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Stephen Lew/USA TODAY Sports)
Green was named head coach of the Pelicans in 2021. He is finishing his tenure after less than five full seasons with a 150-190 record.
In addition to not having Williamson for several games, Green also had to deal with the absence of Jordan Poole. Poole is dealing with a quad strain.
Head coach Willie Green of the New Orleans Pelicans watches the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 25, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, fullback Dejounte Murray has yet to return to the field after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in January.
Green has coached the Pelicans to 49 wins during the 2023-24 regular season and one playoff appearance.
