The Memphis Grizzlies are one of the better stories of the NBA season. After a 27-win season of injuries plagued by its injuries, Memphis went back to the lineup with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. playing at the All-NBA level and screaming back to Western Conference playoff photos. The Grizzlies had been tracking as the second seed in the West as just as the All-Star Break, but suddenly the franchise announced a shocking shakeup just weeks before the playoffs began.
The Grizzlies fired head coach Taylor Jenkins on Friday afternoon. Jenkins has been a Memphis coach since 2019 and was on the verge of leading the franchise into its third 50+ victory season. Memphis lead executive Zach Kleinman issued the statement, calling it a “difficult decision.”
The Grizzlies are 8-11 after previous All-Star breaks. If the season ends today, Memphis will be fifth in the 2025 NBA playoffs Los Angeles Lakers.
It's easy to wonder if there's more to this story. This is because it doesn't make much sense from a basketball perspective, with nine games remaining in the regular season. Jenkins helped remake the Grizzlies attack to make it less dependent on pick-and-rolland this season they have produced some gorgeous basketball. This is a shocking decision.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported “Jenkins was called to the Grizzlies office this morning and fired directly, sources told ESPN to an astonishing fire.”
I'll update this story as it develops.
