The first NBA coaching firing of the season is done and dusted.
The Pelicans fired head coach Willie Green following a 2-10 start to the season, the team announced Saturday (Sunday AEDT).
New Orleans started 0-6 to further put Green on the hot seat, and several injuries to key players, including former No. 1 pick Zion Williamson being limited to five games due to a hamstring injury, did not help the coach’s cause in his fifth season.
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The franchise went 150-190 under his leadership, with zero playoff series wins and just two postseason appearances.
“After careful evaluation, we have made the difficult decision to make a change at head coach,” Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said in a statement.
“I have the utmost respect for Willie Green, and I’m sincerely appreciative of his contributions to the Pelicans organization and the New Orleans community. We wish him and his family all the best in the future.”
New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green has been fired.
New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green has been fired.Source: AP
Green’s best season came when he led the Pelicans 49 wins in the 2023-24 season, but they went on to be swept by the Thunder in the first round of the playoffs.
New Orleans followed with a 21-61 campaign last year, and the Pelicans are currently on a four-game losing streak after a 118-104 loss to the Lakers on Friday.
The Pelicans made dubious history to start this season, becoming the first team to lose three of their first six games by at least 30 points, while also allowing at least 120 points in five consecutive games to start the campaign for the first time in franchise history, according to ESPN.
Assistant James Borrego, who interviewed for the Knicks’ opening this offseason, will serve as the team’s interim coach.
If Williamson can get healthy soon, it will be a huge boost for the Pelicans.
Before he was sidelined, the 2019 No. 1 pick averaged 22.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists, while shooting 48 percent from the field.
Green also had to navigate the first 12 games of the season without Jordan Poole and Dejounte Murray, dealing with a left quad strain and Achilles tear, respectively.
This article originally appeared on New York Post and was republished with permission