NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Despite two recent wins after a 0-6 start and signs of hope out of rookie players, the Pelicans fell to 2-8 after a lopsided 121-98 loss to the Phoenix Suns on the road Monday night (Nov. 10).
The loss comes after the Pelicans went toe-to-toe with the Spurs, narrowly failing to pull off the upset behind a spectacular shooting night from Trey Murphy III, and brilliant performance from rookie Derik Queen.
Coming into the game, the Phoenix Suns were 5-5.
The Pelicans failing to build off their first small sample of success this season feels like more of the same for Locked on Pelicans host Jake Madison. He says that the organization is “past the point of excuses” to keep head coach Willie Green.
Pelicans head coach Willie Green calls out from the bench in the first half Tuesday (Nov. 4)....
Pelicans head coach Willie Green calls out from the bench in the first half Tuesday (Nov. 4). New Orleans won its first game of the season by defeating the Charlotte Hornets, 116-112. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)(Gerald Herbert | AP)
New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green, left, confers with guard Jeremiah Fears, center,...
New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green, left, confers with guard Jeremiah Fears, center, as assistant coach James Borrego looks on in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)(David Zalubowski | AP)
“If ownership isn’t ready to make a move on Willie Green now, when will they be?” Madison asked at the opening of his latest episode on Tuesday morning (Nov. 11).
Madison said that Green isn’t the sole problem behind the Pelicans’ 2-8 start, but that he didn’t believe he was part of the solution.
Green’s record as the Pelicans’ head coach is 150-186. Green’s most winning season came in 2023-24 when star Zion Williamson was available to play for 70 games, resulting in a 49-33 regular season finish and a first-round playoff elimination. Williamson did not appear in that playoff series due to a hamstring injury.
Last season, Green’s Pelicans went 21-61 after an injury-riddled season to Williamson and multiple major rotation players.
Despite Green having to manage a roster dealing with multiple injuries to its star for several seasons, Madison said the Pels’ loss to the Suns on Monday is just the latest example of persistent issues.
“Two things that sum up what happened here to me,” Madison said. “You had an (set play call) after a timeout call in the first quarter that resulted in a shot clock violation. The Pelicans ranked 27th in ATO plays this season. Towards the end of the third quarter, Grayson Allen, who torched New Orleans all night long, scored 42 points.”
While Madison dived into issues beyond the court as well, he pointed out that Green’s calling card is being a defensive-minded coach. Yet, the Pelicans rank near the bottom of the league, No. 28, in that area.
To watch the full episode of Locked on Pelicans with Jake Madison, tune into the Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network at 10:30 a.m. Locked on Pelicans airs every Monday through Friday at the same time.
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