The New Orleans Pelicans have fired head coach Willie Green after a 2-10 start to the season. A 0-6 opening stretch, multiple blowout losses and bottom-five offensive and defensive ratings prompted the move. The team announced Saturday and named James Borrego the interim coach to lead the club for now.
Green, in his fifth season, finishes with a 150-190 record and two playoff appearances. Injuries to Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray and Jordan Poole disrupted continuity. Williamson has played five games this year, contributing to the team’s uneven play and mounting pressure on coaching and roster decisions and front-office scrutiny now.
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James Borrego named interim by the Pelicans as part of next steps
Borrego, the associate head coach, will serve as interim leader while the Pelicans evaluate longer-term options. He previously coached the Charlotte Hornets and compiled a 138-163 record there. The organization emphasized continuity and experience in choosing an interim, noting Borrego’s familiarity with the roster and staff support.
Front office changes also factor into the decision. Joe Dumars, who replaced David Griffin this spring as executive vice president of basketball operations, said, “After careful evaluation, we have made the difficult decision to make a change at head coach.” Governor Gayle Benson added she trusts Dumars to guide basketball operations.
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The roster has been riddled with injuries. Zion Williamson has played only five games this season, Dejounte Murray and Jordan Poole have missed significant time. Those absences, along with a 0-6 start and several heavy defeats, left the team in a poor net-rating position and prompted swift action from leadership.
The #Pelicans have relieved Willie Green of his duties as head coach, it was announced today by Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars.
Associate Head Coach James Borrego has been named interim head coach.
“After careful evaluation, we have made the… pic.twitter.com/cpnAR70V3o
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) November 15, 2025
Offseason moves also increased pressure. The Pelicans traded an unprotected 2026 first-round pick to move up in the 2025 draft for Derik Queen and later moved another 2026 pick to acquire the No. 23 choice, leaving them without 2026 firsts. That gamble raises stakes for immediate improvement.
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Looking ahead, New Orleans must stabilize rotations, protect its draft assets and decide whether Borrego can lift performance enough to win a permanent role. The team pledged to build a championship-caliber organization and thanked Green for his service: “We wish him and his family all the best,” Dumars said.
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