Willie Green accepted responsibility for New Orleans’ 21-61 season and said he had not discussed his future with the Pelicans.
The coach spoke after a 115-100 loss to Oklahoma City completed a seven-game losing streak.
“We failed. I failed,” Green said. “I have to take full ownership of where we are as a team.”
Green asks Pelicans to judge all four seasons
New Orleans reached the play-in tournament in each of Green’s first three seasons and advanced to the first round twice.
Green believed that progress should count alongside the collapse in 2024-25.
“You try to look at the body of work,” he said. “I didn’t give myself this job. I had to be chosen for this position, and I’m grateful.”
Basketball operations chief David Griffin, who hired Green in 2021, did not speak after the final game.
Injuries tear apart the Pelicans’ season
Zion Williamson played only 30 games, with a hamstring strain causing his longest absence.
Dejounte Murray broke his hand on opening night and tore his Achilles tendon in January. He made 31 appearances.
Herbert Jones was limited to 20 games by a shoulder injury. Brandon Ingram played 18 before an ankle problem and a trade to Toronto, while Trey Murphy III missed 29.
Murphy warns that nobody is safe
The Pelicans entered the season expecting to contend for the playoffs but finished above only one Western Conference team.
“We truly don’t know who’s going back,” Murphy said. “Nobody is safe.”
Green said there had been no talks about whether he would return. Griffin’s position and the shape of the roster were also uncertain as New Orleans prepared for major changes.
