Pelicans fire Willie Green and hand Borrego the reins after 2-10 collapse

Willie Green and James Borrego (New Orleans Pelicans)
November 2025

The New Orleans Pelicans dismissed head coach Willie Green after a 2-10 opening, installing assistant James Borrego as interim boss while Joe Dumars cited repeated losses in the same manner and a failure to establish nightly effort as key reasons for the decision. Green’s tenure was shaped by Zion Williamson’s recurring injuries and only two first round playoff exits, while Dumars rebuilt the roster with veterans and lottery picks that have yet to gel. Borrego inherits a struggling squad with 70 games left and vows to add toughness and his own imprint immediately.