In his first game as interim coach, James Borrego sent a clear, cold message: it’s a new era in New Orleans, and sentimentality has no place on the court.
NEW ORLEANS — The James Borrego era began not with a sentimental nod to the past, but with a ruthless decision aimed at the future. Just one day after the Pelicans fired Willie Green, Borrego made a stunning move in his debut, benching veteran center and three-time NBA champion Kevon Looney for the entire game against his former team, the Golden State Warriors. In a 124-106 blowout loss, the loudest statement wasn’t on the scoreboard—it was on the bench, where Looney watched all 48 minutes in a stark DNP-CD (Did Not Play – Coach’s Decision).
The stage was set for a heartwarming narrative. Kevon Looney, a Warriors legend who spent his entire nine-year career and won three championships in Golden State, was returning to face his old team for the first time. Instead, Borrego’s strategy turned the potential reunion into a brutal reality check.
The decision was as tactical as it was symbolic. With Zion Williamson injured, Borrego opted to counter the Warriors’ small-ball lineup by inserting athletic rookie Derik Queen into the starting five and giving significant minutes ( nearly 25 each) to sophomore center Yves Missi. The move backfired immediately, as the Warriors exploded for 44 points in the first quarter, but Borrego stubbornly refused to turn to the experienced Looney.
This marks a dramatic fall for Looney, who had started the last six games under former coach Willie Green. After battling early-season injuries and working his way back into the rotation, he has now become the most visible casualty of the coaching change. The Pelicans’ league-worst 2-11 record suggests a team with nothing to lose, making the decision to completely freeze out a respected veteran against his former club feel especially cold.
The irony is cutting. The Warriors had openly looked forward to competing against Looney and Jordan Poole (who was also injured). The Pelicans’ two-year, $16 million investment in Looney now looks questionable just 13 games into the season, seemingly validating Golden State’s decision to let him walk.
James Borrego’s first game in charge was a masterclass in sending a message. By benching Kevon Looney, he demonstrated that every minute must be earned and that past glories mean nothing in the present struggle. For the Pelicans, it’s a harsh but clear step into a new direction. For Looney, it’s a painful reminder of the NBA’s cold, unforgiving business side, where loyalty is often the first thing sacrificed on the altar of change.