The New Orleans Pelicans have officially parted ways with head coach Willie Green, ending his tenure early in his fifth season after the team’s disastrous 2–10 start to the 2025–26 NBA campaign. The organization announced the move on Saturday, one day after a 118–104 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, marking their sixth straight defeat and cementing them at the bottom of the Western Conference standings.

Green becomes the first NBA head coach fired this season, with associate head coach and former Charlotte Hornets lead man James Borrego stepping in as interim head coach.

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A Promising Offseason Leads to a Brutal Start

New Orleans entered the season with optimism.

• Zion Williamson arrived at training camp in excellent shape.
• New additions Jordan Poole and Kevon Looney were expected to provide scoring punch and interior help.
• Rookie first-round picks Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen added energy and youth.
• And the team welcomed back Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones, both returning from season-ending shoulder surgeries the year prior.

Despite the upgraded roster, the Pelicans’ play on the court told a different story.

They opened the season with six consecutive losses, many of them by lopsided margins. That skid included:

• A 32-point loss to the Boston Celtics
• A 34-point loss to the Denver Nuggets
• A 31-point blowout at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder

Their first win didn’t come until Nov. 4, when they barely edged out the Charlotte Hornets 116–112. But even a modest turnaround never materialized, culminating in Friday night’s loss to the Lakers and the decision to move on from Green.

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Zion’s Health Troubles Return

Compounding the Pelicans’ poor play, superstar Zion Williamson once again faced health setbacks.

• He missed the third game of the season with a bone bruise in his foot.
• Shortly after returning, he suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain, and as of the firing, had yet to come back to the lineup.

This added to the long-term concern regarding Zion’s durability — an issue that heavily contributed to New Orleans’ 21–61 record last season.

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Injuries and Inconsistency Have Haunted Pelicans for Years

Last season’s injury woes were significant:

• Williamson played only 30 games before a back injury ended his season.
• Newly acquired Dejounte Murray tore his Achilles after just 31 games.
• Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III combined to play only 71 games.

The Pelicans managed to sneak into the 2024 Western Conference playoffs as the No. 8 seed, but they were swept 4–0 by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.

The franchise had also reached the postseason in 2022 but again fell in the opening round, this time to the Phoenix Suns.

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Offense Stagnant, Defense Collapses

Coming into 2025–26, defense was supposed to be Green’s anchor — the area where he had excelled during previous seasons. But instead, the Pelicans fell apart on both ends of the floor.

• New Orleans ranks 28th in defensive rating, allowing 121.3 points per game.
• The offense has lacked structure, ball movement, and consistent scoring outside of Zion.
• The roster’s size issues reappeared, leading to rebounding struggles and mismatches inside.
• The team’s identity appeared lost, and the locker room became increasingly frustrated with the early-season spiral.

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Willie Green’s Legacy in New Orleans

Willie Green finishes his four-plus-year stint with a 150–190 record. Though he guided the Pelicans to two playoff appearances, his tenure was marred by injuries, inconsistent offense, and an inability to build momentum season over season.

Green was hired in 2021 after serving under Steve Kerr with the Golden State Warriors and Monty Williams with the Phoenix Suns. His defensive acumen brought early success, but the Pelicans regressed sharply this season.

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What’s Next for the Pelicans?

Interim coach James Borrego faces a steep uphill climb. Not only must he stabilize a roster plagued by injuries and low morale, but he must also help re-establish confidence, discipline, and identity on a team that has quickly unraveled.

The Pelicans’ front office is expected to conduct a thorough coaching search later in the season, but for now, the focus is on salvaging what remains of 2025–26.