The Pelicans sack coach Willie Green following a dismal 2-10 start, with assistant James Borrego named interim coach for the rest of the season
THE NEW ORLEANS PELICANS have fired head coach Willie Green after a dismal 2-10 start to the NBA season.
Club executive vice president Joe Dumars announced the decision on Saturday, citing a lack of competitive improvement.
“I was looking for the team to compete hard every night,” Dumars said in comments posted on the Pelicans website.
“If we start losing the same way over and over again, that’s not improvement.”
Dumars emphasised that the judgment was based on establishing a competitive foundation rather than specific offensive or defensive issues.
The Pelicans began the season with an 0-6 record while dealing with significant injuries to key players.
Star big man Zion Williamson has played just five games due to a recurring hamstring injury.
Jordan Poole missed games with a quadriceps strain and Dejounte Murray continues recovering from a torn Achilles tendon.
New Orleans lost three of their first six games by at least 30 points.
They allowed at least 120 points in five consecutive games to start the season.
A 118-104 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday marked their fourth straight defeat.
Assistant coach James Borrego will take over as interim coach for the remainder of the season.
Borrego, former head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, was considered for head coaching jobs with the Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers in 2024.
Dumars confirmed he expects Borrego to remain at the helm through the season’s conclusion. – AFP
