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The Memphis Grizzlies have officially announced the departure of head coach Taylor Jenkins, a decision that surprised many given the team’s strong performance this season.
Currently holding a record of 44-29 and sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference, the Grizzlies are set to enjoy their fourth winning season under Jenkins’ leadership. Grizzlies President and General Manager of Basketball Operations Zach Kleiman expressed gratitude for Jenkins’ impact over the past six seasons, stating, “I’m truly thankful for Taylor’s contributions to this organization and the community. This decision was not made lightly, especially considering the steady growth of our players and the overall achievements during his time with us. I wish him success in his future endeavors.”
Reports indicate that assistant coach Tuomas Iisalo will step in as interim coach, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Jenkins achieved the milestone of becoming the Grizzlies’ all-time winningest coach last November, but the organization now finds itself parting ways with him as the team has struggled recently and risks losing home-court advantage for the playoffs. His dismissal comes just as Memphis is preparing for three home games within four days, facing the Lakers, the Celtics, and the Warriors.
The Grizzlies have a challenging schedule ahead, with eight of their final nine games against playoff contenders or teams vying for play-in positioning. Despite their recent struggles, mathematically, they could still improve to the second seed in the West, although making the SoFi Play-In Tournament appears unlikely.
Historically, Jenkins’ firing is notable; it marks one of the rare occasions—only one in NBA history—where a coach has been let go with fewer than ten regular-season games remaining right before the playoffs. In the 1982-83 season, Larry Brown was dismissed by the Nets under similar circumstances.
Jenkins held the position for a significant time, being the fifth-longest tenured coach in the league among his peers, following the likes of San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich and others who have claimed NBA championships.
The team’s performance against top rivals this season raised alarms. The Grizzlies went winless in four matchups against Oklahoma City, losing those games by margins of 24, 13, 17, and 21 points. Their record against other leading teams—Denver, Houston, and the Lakers—stands at 3-6.
This season has underscored Memphis’ struggles against superior opponents, showing a stark contrast between their success against weaker teams versus their 11-20 record against those with winning records. Against teams with losing records, they have excelled with a 33-9 record, outscoring those teams decisively.
Jenkins surpassed Lionel Hollins as the franchise’s winningest coach and held the record for most coaching games, finishing his tenure with a 250-214 record across six seasons. He led the Grizzlies to playoff appearances in 2021, 2022, and 2023, and appeared set to continue that trend this season.
During 2021-22, Memphis achieved its highest win total under Jenkins, claiming the Southwest Division title and securing a second seed in the West. Although they advanced past the Timberwolves in the first round, they fell to the Warriors in the semifinals, hampered by star player Ja Morant’s injuries.
Jenkins took the reins after J.B. Bickerstaff’s firing following a failure to reach the playoffs in 2018-19. With a background as an assistant for both the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks under Mike Budenholzer, he also had experience leading the San Antonio Spurs’ G League affiliate in Austin.
His era in Memphis began with the drafting of Morant, the second overall pick, in 2019. After playoff runs from 2021 to 2023, last season proved difficult as injuries plagued key players. Morant managed only nine games due to a 25-game league suspension and a right shoulder injury, while Desmond Bane and Brandon Clarke also dealt with injuries that limited their contributions.
This season, Jenkins revamped his coaching staff and introduced a new offensive scheme centered on spacing. However, Memphis experienced a decline due to turnovers, despite starting strong in the standings. Jenkins faced additional challenges with Morant missing significant time due to recurring health issues, including a strained hamstring keeping him out for the last six games.
This report incorporates insights from The Associated Press.
