WILLIE GREEN

The last 12 months have been a transformative year in the NBA when it comes to diversity among coaches.

Suns Pelicans Basketball New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) watches a shoot around before game six of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns, Friday, April 29, 2022 in New Orleans. — (AP) — Zion Williamson says he'll jump at the chance to sign an extension with the New Orleans Pelicans this summer. And that is the $200 million — give or take — question that the Pelicans face this offseason, whether to offer the former No. “When it’s time to have that (conversation), we’ll have it,” Pelicans vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said. “I wouldn’t be able to sign it fast enough,” Williamson said when asked if he would sign an extension.

Zion Williamson says he’ll jump at the chance to sign an extension with the New Orleans Pelicans this summer.

Pelicans Suns Basketball Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker watches from the bench during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the New Orleans Pelicans, Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) (Matt York)NEW ORLEANS — (AP) — All-Star guard Devin Booker returned to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night for Game 6 against the New Orleans Pelicans after missing three games because of a strained right hamstring. After scoring 31 points in first half of Game 2, Booker was injured early in the second when he landed awkwardly trying to block a fast-break attempt. New Orleans coach Willie Green said before the game that the Pelicans had two defensive game plans — one with Booker in the lineup and one without him. If he doesn’t, we need to be ready to go out and execute our game plan.”Copyright 2022 The Associated Press.

All-Star guard Devin Booker returned to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night for Game 6 against the New Orleans Pelicans after missing three games because of a strained right hamstring.

Chris Paul scored 19 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter and the Phoenix Suns overcame Devin Booker’s absence to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 114-111 on Friday night in Game 3 of the first-round series.

The road back to the NBA Finals has become bumpy for the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks.

Pelicans Suns Basketball Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) drives as New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones defends during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 17, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) (Matt York)PHOENIX — (AP) — Chris Paul scored 19 of his 30 points during a brilliant fourth-quarter shooting display and the Phoenix Suns beat the New Orleans Pelicans 110-99 on Sunday night in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series. Devin Booker — who finished with 25 points — hit a 3-pointer on the opening possession and the Suns never trailed, using a ferocious defensive effort to quickly take control. CJ McCollum led the Pelicans with 25 points, but struggled with his shooting much of the night. FRIENDLY FACEOFFIt's no secret Suns coach Monty Williams and Pelicans coach Willie Green are close friends and colleagues.

Chris Paul scored 19 of his 30 points during a brilliant fourth-quarter shooting display and the Phoenix Suns beat the New Orleans Pelicans 110-99 on Sunday night in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series.

Brandon Ingram scored 30 points and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the depleted Los Angeles Clippers 105-101 in a play-in and earn the West’s No. 8 seed for the playoffs.

CJ McCollum scored 27 of his 32 points in the first half, Brandon Ingram shook foul trouble to add 27 points and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the San Antonio Spurs 113-103 on Wednesday night in a Western Conference play-in game.

Warriors Pelicans Basketball Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) goes to the basket over New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (15) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Sunday, April 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert)NEW ORLEANS — (AP) — Klay Thompson made seven 3-pointers and scored 41 points for the Golden State Warriors, who clinched the third seed in the Western Conference playoffs with a 128-107 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night. Naji Marshall led New Orleans with 19 points, while reserve Gary Clark added 17 points and rookie Trey Murphy III scored 15. Thompson scored 21 in the first half, with a 15-foot turnaround and a 3 early in what became a dominant second quarter for Golden State. CURRY'S STATUSIt's still not clear whether Warriors leading scorer Stephen Curry will be back for Golden State's playoff opener.

Klay Thompson's season-high 41-point performance included seven 3-pointers for the Golden State Warriors, who clinched the third seed in the Western Conference playoffs with a 128-107 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

CJ McCollum received a 90-second standing ovation in his first visit to Portland since a February trade to New Orleans, then scored 25 points to lead the Pelicans over the Trail Blazers 117-107.

McCollum continued his scorching start with his new team by scoring 32 points, Ingram added 28 and the Pelicans earned an impressive road win over the Phoenix Suns, 117-102 on Friday night. “We're just starting to figure it out,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said about the McCollum-Ingram pairing.

The New Orleans Pelicans have acquired guard CJ McCollum from the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a seven-player trade.

Devonte Graham’s 61-foot heave at the buzzer lifted the New Orleans Pelicans to a 113-110 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The New Orleans Pelicans say Zion Williamson has experienced a “regression” in his surgically repaired right foot.

The pandemic and vaccination rates were the talk of the NBA on media day Monday.

A person familiar with the situation says the Memphis Grizzlies have agreed to trade center Jonas Valanciunas to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for center Steven Adams, guard Eric Bledsoe and an exchange of first-round choices in this week’s draft.

NEW ORLEANS — (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans have hired Phoenix Suns assistant Willie Green as their new head coach. Green, a former NBA player who turns 40 on July 28, is a first-time head coach after serving as an NBA assistant coach the past five years — first with Golden State and then with Phoenix, which lost to Milwaukee in the NBA Finals on Tuesday. “Willie has established himself as one of the most respected assistant coaches in the NBA. I look forward to getting to work and immersing myself and my family into the local community," Green said. Griffin was Cleveland’s vice president of basketball operations in 2016 when he gave Tyronn Lue his first head coaching job.

The New Orleans Pelicans have hired Phoenix Suns assistant Willie Green as their new head coach.

Pelicans Green Basketball FILE - Phoenix Suns assistant coach Willie Green is shown during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Denver, in this Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, file photo. A person familiar with the situation says the New Orleans Pelicans are negotiating with Suns assistant Willie Green about taking over as head coach but no deal is in place and discussions could extend beyond the NBA Finals. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because talks were ongoing and the Pelicans have not publicly discussed coaching candidates. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File) (David Zalubowski)NEW ORLEANS — (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans are negotiating with Suns assistant Willie Green about taking over as head coach, but no deal is in place and discussions could extend beyond the NBA Finals, a person familiar with the situation said. “He has not agreed to a deal,” the person said to The Associated Press Wednesday on condition of anonymity because talks were ongoing.

A person familiar with the situation says the New Orleans Pelicans are negotiating with Suns assistant Willie Green about taking over as head coach but no deal is in place and discussions could extend beyond the NBA Finals.