The Memphis Grizzlies have been one of the better stories of the NBA season. Coming off a 27-win season plagued by injuries, Memphis roared back into the Western Conference playoff picture with Ja Morant back in the lineup and Jaren Jackson Jr. playing at an All-NBA level. The Grizzlies were tracking as the No. 2 seed in the West as recently as the All-Star break, but suddenly the franchise has announced a shocking shakeup weeks before the start of the playoffs.
The Grizzlies fired head coach Taylor Jenkins on Friday afternoon. Jenkins had been Memphis’ coach since 2019, and was on the verge of leading the franchise to his third 50+ win season. Memphis’ lead executive Zack Kleinman released this statement, calling it a “difficult decision.”
The Grizzlies are 8-11 after the All-Star break so far. If the season ended today, Memphis would be the No. 5 seed in the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers.
It’s easy to wonder if there’s more to this story, because it doesn’t make much sense from a basketball perspective with nine games left to go in the regular season. Jenkins helped remake the Grizzlies’ offense to be less reliant on pick-and-rolls, and it produced some gorgeous basketball this season. This is a shocking decision.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported “Jenkins was called into the Grizzlies office this morning and was fired in person, sources tell ESPN. Stunning dismissal.”
We’ll update this story as it develops.