NBA news: Willie Green out as Pelicans head coach after bleak start
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The NBA season is only less than a month old, but the New Orleans Pelicans have already made a significant change. Willie Green is leaving the Pelicans after just 12 games as head coach, the team confirmed Saturday.
The Pelicans have lost their last four games and are 2-10 heading into Sunday’s game against the Golden State Warriors.
“After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to make a coaching change,” Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said in a statement.
“I have great respect for Willie Green and am sincerely grateful for his contributions to the Pelicans organization and the New Orleans community. We wish him and his family the best in the future.”
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New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green against Utah Jazz (Stephen Lew/Imagn Images)
To make matters worse, New Orleans started the season on a six-game losing streak and lost key players to injury. Zion Williamson’s availability has been limited once again, this time due to a hamstring issue.
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Williamson, the first pick of the 2019 NBA Draft, has dealt with some form of hamstring issue in each of the last four seasons. Williamson averaged 22.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists in five games this season.
The Pelicans’ defense struggled early in the season. New Orleans has never held an opponent under 101 points.
Assistant James Borrego has been named the Pelicans’ interim coach. Borrego attracted interest from several NBA teams during the 2024 head coaching tenure, but ultimately chose to remain with the Pelicans.
James Borrego during a game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. (Stephen Lew/USA Today Sports)
Green was named the Pelicans’ head coach in 2021, ending his tenure with a 150-190 record after less than five seasons.
Green has had to deal with a quad strain with the absence of Jordan Poole in addition to the absence of Williamson for several games.
New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green watches the game during the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on November 25, 2024. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Guard Dejounte Murray has yet to return to the field after tearing his Achilles in January.
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Green coached the Pelicans to 49 wins and postseason appearances in the 2023-24 regular season.
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