Willie Green

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Lore & Background

Willie Green's head coaching tenure with the New Orleans Pelicans began on July 22, 2021. The start was brutal: a 1–12 record. But Green steadied the ship, guiding the Pelicans to a 36–46 finish, ninth in the Western Conference, and a spot in the play-in tournament. They beat the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Clippers to reach the playoffs for the first time since the 2017–18 season, ultimately falling to the Phoenix Suns in six games in the First Round. The 2022–23 season saw a strong start, with the Pelicans tied with the Denver Nuggets for first place in the Western Conference at the start of 2023 with a 23–12 record. However, injuries to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram caused a significant regression. The Pelicans finished ninth again, qualifying for the play-in tournament for the second straight season, and lost 123–118 to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 12, 2023. Despite the struggles, Green finished with his first winning season as a head coach at 42–40. After a 2–10 start to the 2025–26 season, placing New Orleans at the bottom of the Western Conference, Green was fired on November 15, 2025.

In Their Own Story

The Pelicans' 2021–22 season was nearly written off after a 1–12 start. But Willie Green didn't let the team fold. He led them to a 36–46 record, sneaking into the play-in tournament. They knocked off the San Antonio Spurs and then the Los Angeles Clippers, punching a ticket to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017–18 season. Their reward? A first-round matchup with the Phoenix Suns, Green's former team. The Pelicans pushed the Suns to six games before falling. The next season, Green had the Pelicans tied for first place in the Western Conference at the start of 2023 with a 23–12 record. Then injuries to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram hit, and the team regressed. They finished ninth again, losing 123–118 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the play-in on April 12, 2023. Still, the 42–40 record marked Green's first winning season as a head coach. The 2025–26 season started 2–10, and on November 15, 2025, Green was fired.

Reader's Guide

Willie Green was the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans from July 22, 2021, until November 15, 2025. His first season: a 36–46 record, ninth in the Western Conference, and a playoff berth after winning the play-in tournament. The Pelicans lost to the Phoenix Suns in six games in the First Round. His second season: a 42–40 record, his first winning season as a head coach, but again ninth in the West. They lost in the play-in tournament to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 123–118, on April 12, 2023. The 2025–26 season started 2–10, placing New Orleans at the bottom of the Western Conference, leading to his firing on November 15, 2025. Green's coaching record is defined by these specific numbers and turning points. He was hired by the Dallas Mavericks as lead assistant coach under Dusty May on July 2, 2026.

Did You Know?

• Willie Green was hired as head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans on July 22, 2021.
• In his first season, the Pelicans started 1–12 but finished 36–46 and made the playoffs.
• Green led the Pelicans to a 42–40 record in the 2022–23 season, his first winning season as a head coach.
• He was fired on November 15, 2025, after a 2–10 start to the 2025–26 season.
• Green won back-to-back NBA championships as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018.