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 morning.
New Orleans started 0-6 to further put Green on the hot seat, and Zion Williamson being limited to five games due to a hamstring injury did not help his cause in his fifth season.
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.”
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.
More to come on this developing story…
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
