After a nightmare 2-10 start to the 2025-26 NBA season, the New Orleans Pelicans decided to part ways with head coach Willie Green last Saturday. And according to reports, Green has lost the locker room before his dismissal.
“Some within the Pelicans’ organization and many around the league were surprised Green made it past the first six games, given the team’s lethargic play after Dumars vowed the team would be competitive on a nightly basis in the offseason. The Pelicans also had no reason to tank after trading away the team’s 2026 first-round pick,” Michael Scotto of HoopsHype wrote.
“Pelicans guard Jordan Poole was upset with his role after Green removed him from the starting lineup against the Denver Nuggets on October 29th, league sources told HoopsHype. Green’s messaging had also become stale with Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III after playing for Green his entire Pelicans tenure as coach, league sources added. In addition, some players and members of the organization felt Green didn’t hold Zion Williamson accountable enough during his coaching tenure, sources said,” he added.
With Green sacked, the New Orleans Pelicans have turned to James Borrego as interim head coach. Under Borrego, the team dropped its last two games against the Golden State Warriors and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
New Orleans Pelicans News: Jeremiah Fears notches career-high performance in loss vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Rookie guard Jeremiah Fears stood out in last night’s loss against the defending NBA champions, as he contributed a career-high 24 points on 9-for-16 shooting from the field across 26 minutes of action.
“There’s a fearlessness about him, mixed with poise. He’s comfortable getting downhill, making plays. Even against this elite defense, I felt like he was by them a couple times. They couldn’t catch him… he’s going to be a great playmaker in this league,” interim head coach James Borrego said of Fears via Jim Eichenhofer.
Besides Fears, Trey Murphy III, Micah Peavy, Jordan Hawkins, and Karlo Matkovic did their share by adding 18, 16, 11, and 10 points, respectively.
