James Borrego knows better than most just how tough this season has been for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Borrego, the Pelicans’ associate head coach, has sat in the chair beside Willie Green through what has been a injury plagued season filled with disappointment.
On Sunday, Borrego was in charge in place of Green, who missed the game for personal reasons.
The Pelicans prevailed 98-94 over the Charlotte Hornets at Smoothie King Center in a game between two of the worst teams in the NBA.
Jose Alvarado made sure the Pels left with a win.
After Charlotte’s Nick Smith buried a 3-pointer with 39.5 seconds left to give the Hornets a 94-93 lead, Alvarado answered with a reverse lay-up and got fouled on the play. He knocked down the free throw to put the Pels up 96-94 with 31.4 seconds remaining. Then after a Charlotte turnover, Alvarado drove to the basket and dished out an assist to Keion Brooks to seal it.
"He’s a winner," Borrego said. " He loves being in those moments."
Brooks led the Pelicans with a career-high 17 points and Antonio Reeves finished with 16.
"The young guys got it done tonight," Borrego said. "Keion had a heckuva game."
The Pelicans (21-54) avenged their 123-92 loss to the Hornets (18-56) in late January. That loss two months ago in Charlotte was one of six 30-point losses the Pels have suffered in what has been a trying season. Borrego coached a team Sunday that was missing Zion Williamson (low back contusion), CJ McCollum (foot contusion) and Jordan Hawkins (back spasms). As a result, the Pelicans used their 42nd different lineup.
“I’m not sure I’ve been a part of a season like this before,” Borrego said. “In totality, I have not seen this. You go through stretches in a season where you’re injured. Every team does. But to see it start to finish, I’ve never seen anything like this before. It’s a great opportunity for our young guys.”
Borrego, in his second season on the Pelicans’ staff, has been in this role before. He spent four seasons as head coach of the Charlotte Hornets prior to coming to New Orleans.
“I’m fortunate to have had a little run at this, so it kinda kicks you back into that mode again,” Borrego said. “It’s good to have a little test run again and get out there with the fellas.”
It's also good that it came against his former team.
“It’s a whole new regime (there),” Borrego said before the game. “Just thankful. I had a great time in Charlotte, four great years. I learned a lot, grew a lot. It’s good to see those guys. I wish Melo (Ball) was playing. I’d love to see him out there and competing against him. It’s a little strange that you’re going against your former team like that, but I’m looking forward to it.”
The Pelicans shot just 2 of 13 on 3-pointers in the first half and trailed 52-43.
"First half, we had good looks and they didn’t fall for us," Borrego said. "But a big third quarter for us. We found some rhythm."
Reeves heated up in the third quarter, nailing three consecutive 3-pointers to get the Pelicans going on their way to a 74-73 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
"For a young team to close like that, I’m proud of them," Borrego said.
Borrego improved to 2-0 as Green’s replacement. In the 2023-’24 season, Borrego led the Pels to a 131-110 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
Up next for the Pelicans is a 2-game road trip to Los Angeles to play the Clippers Wednesday and the Lakers Friday.