The primary NBA teaching firing of the season is finished and dusted.
The Pelicans fired head coach Willie Inexperienced following a 2-10 begin to the season, the crew introduced Saturday (Sunday AEDT).
New Orleans began 0-6 to additional put Inexperienced on the new seat, and a number of other accidents to key gamers, together with former No. 1 choose Zion Williamson being restricted to 5 video games on account of a hamstring harm, didn’t assist the coach’s trigger in his fifth season.
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The franchise went 150-190 underneath his management, with zero playoff collection wins and simply two postseason appearances.
“After cautious analysis, we have now made the troublesome resolution to make a change at head coach,” Pelicans govt vice chairman of basketball operations Joe Dumars stated in a press release.
“I’ve the utmost respect for Willie Inexperienced, and I’m sincerely appreciative of his contributions to the Pelicans group and the New Orleans group. We want him and his household all the most effective sooner or later.”
Inexperienced’s greatest season got here when he led the Pelicans 49 wins within the 2023-24 season, however they went on to be swept by the Thunder within the first spherical of the playoffs.
New Orleans adopted with a 21-61 marketing campaign final 12 months, and the Pelicans are at present on a four-game dropping streak after a 118-104 loss to the Lakers on Friday.
The Pelicans made doubtful historical past to begin this season, changing into the primary crew to lose three of their first six video games by a minimum of 30 factors, whereas additionally permitting a minimum of 120 factors in 5 consecutive video games to begin the marketing campaign for the primary time in franchise historical past, in response to ESPN.
Assistant James Borrego, who interviewed for the Knicks’ opening this offseason, will function the crew’s interim coach.
If Williamson can get wholesome quickly, it is going to be an enormous increase for the Pelicans.
Earlier than he was sidelined, the 2019 No. 1 choose averaged 22.8 factors, 6.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists, whereas capturing 48 p.c from the sector.
Inexperienced additionally needed to navigate the primary 12 video games of the season with out Jordan Poole and Dejounte Murray, coping with a left quad pressure and Achilles tear, respectively.
This text initially appeared on New York Publish and was republished with permission