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Since taking the reins as interim head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, Tuomas Iisalo has faced the immediate challenge of securing a spot in the 2025 NBA Playoffs presented by Google.
On Tuesday, his team endured a setback against the Golden State Warriors at FedExForum, bringing their record to 44-32 in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season.
During the postgame press conference, the 42-year-old Finnish coach drew on his extensive experience as a head coach in Europe to manage the potential pressure of the playoff race.
“I can’t speak for how other coaches operate, but I’ve never seen the point in thinking beyond today or tomorrow,” he said, reflecting on the push to qualify for the Playoffs or potentially enter the 2025 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament.
“There’s a concept called relegation in European leagues that poses a significant threat to an entire franchise. It may be difficult to grasp in a closed league system,” he elaborated on his perspective. “Having faced that situation twice has ingrained in me the weight of being accountable for the future of the franchise and everyone’s positions. Dropping a level means a reduced budget and likely a diminished roster, along with changes in the front office. Those experiences have greatly informed my approach to these kinds of challenges.”
“I focus on taking it one day at a time, managing what I can control, and doing everything possible within that period. Regardless of our final standing, we will continue to compete beyond the Regular Season, and we will be ready to perform at our peak when the playoffs commence,” Iisalo stated.
Currently sharing the sixth position in the Western Conference standings with the Minnesota Timberwolves—the lowest seed that guarantees direct entry into the playoffs—the Grizzlies are preparing for a three-game road trip, with upcoming matches against the Miami Heat on Thursday, the Detroit Pistons on Saturday, and the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday.
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