New Orleans Pelicans interim head coach James Borrego reflected on the 2025-26 season during an end-of-season press conference on Monday, April 13, highlighting gratitude, roster development, and areas for improvement after a 26–56 campaign.
Borrego opened with a long statement of appreciation, saying: “Obviously, I want to thank Mrs. Benson number one for her support, her love… it’s an honor to work for her and be a part of her organization.” He also credited team leadership, adding, “To Joe and Troy… thankful for their partnership, their belief, their trust.”
He extended that message across the roster and organization, stating, “Really thankful for these players… they made me better this year,” and added, “To the fans in the city… I’m just very grateful for everybody that showed up this year.”
Borrego repeatedly pointed to organizational connection, saying, “I feel connected to the city, the franchise, and who these people are,” while also acknowledging results, adding, “Obviously not what the city was looking for… but brighter days are ahead.”
When addressing internal evaluation with executive leadership, he said conversations have started, noting, “Those conversations have started… more reflective on the season.”
A major theme centered on team identity and culture. Borrego stated, “We built a culture of competitiveness, of availability,” adding, “Never dropping the sword. Never dropped the sword.” He also emphasized consistency, noting, “From December 1st to last night, we were the eighth most healthy team.”
Development across the roster was another focal point, as he said, “We had significant growth throughout the roster,” while highlighting youth impact: “We played our two rookies really as much as anybody… fourth in minutes, fifth in minutes.”
He specifically discussed Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, stating, “I think we made the switch with Fears January 23rd… his season turned and our season turned,” and added, “Queen made massive strides… such a super talented kid, high IQ.”
On team-wide shortcomings, Borrego identified late-game execution, saying, “We played the fourth most clutch games in the NBA… We were 10 and 24,” and described it as a key offseason focus.
Defensively, he pointed to the clearest path forward, stating, “Where this team becomes a winning program… it’s going to be done through the defensive lens,” while adding, “We have to get bigger and stronger and that starts in the weight room.”
Borrego also contextualized progress since taking over, noting, “Since I took over, we were the second most improved team in the NBA net rating wise,” while emphasizing a key stretch, “We were 15 and 10… playing like a top six team in the West.”
He concluded by reinforcing belief in internal growth and continuity, saying, “We’re not that far away,” and added, “None of us in this room know where this goes… I know that it’s upward.”
