The Memphis Grizzlies made a shocking move on Friday, March 28, 2025, firing head coach Taylor Jenkins, who had been at the helm for six seasons and holds the record for the most wins in franchise history. This decision comes as the team, currently sitting at No. 5 in the Western Conference standings, is struggling to maintain their playoff positioning with just nine games left in the regular season.
Jenkins, who compiled a career record of 250-214, surpassed Lionel Hollins to become the winningest coach in Grizzlies history. He was instrumental in the franchise's development, leading them to the postseason three times, including a memorable run to the Western Conference semifinals in the 2021-22 season. However, the team’s recent performance raised eyebrows, with Memphis losing four of their last five games and finishing a five-game road trip with a disappointing 1-4 record, including a 125-104 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“I’m genuinely appreciative of Taylor’s contributions to this team and this city over the past six seasons,” said Zach Kleiman, the Grizzlies' president and general manager of basketball operations. “This was a difficult decision, given the consistent and tangible development of our players and overall success under Taylor’s leadership. I wish Taylor the very best going forward.”
The Grizzlies are scheduled to play three home games in a four-day span starting Saturday, March 29, against the Los Angeles Lakers, followed by matchups against the Boston Celtics on March 31 and the Golden State Warriors on April 1. Eight of their final nine opponents are either playoff teams or contenders for a play-in spot, making this a critical juncture for the franchise.
Despite the turmoil, there remains a mathematical possibility for the Grizzlies to reclaim a higher seed in the playoffs, but their recent struggles against stronger teams have been alarming. They are currently 11-20 against teams with winning records this season, having been outscored by 77 points in those matchups. In contrast, they boast a strong record of 33-9 against teams at or below .500, outscoring those opponents by a staggering 462 points.
The decision to let Jenkins go has left many analysts and fans scratching their heads, given the team's overall standing and the injuries that have plagued key players, including star guard Ja Morant. Morant has missed significant time this season, playing only 43 games, and Memphis has a 16-14 record without him. The Grizzlies' struggles post-All-Star break, where they have only managed an 8-11 record, have prompted questions about the coaching staff's effectiveness amidst these challenges.
Jenkins' firing is particularly notable as it marks one of the rare instances in NBA history where a team has dismissed its head coach with fewer than ten games remaining in the regular season while still in playoff contention. The last comparable situation occurred in 1982-83 when the New Jersey Nets fired Larry Brown with six games left on their schedule.
As the Grizzlies prepare for their upcoming games, they have appointed lead assistant coach Tuomas Iisalo as the interim head coach. Iisalo, a former Finnish professional player and coach, won the EuroCup and EuroCup Coach of the Year award in 2024 with Paris Basketball. His appointment comes at a time when the Grizzlies hope to stabilize their season and make a push for the playoffs.
The franchise's expectations have been high in recent years, especially after Jenkins led them to a franchise-record 56 wins in the 2021-22 season and a second-place finish in the Western Conference. However, the team has faced challenges since then, including a tumultuous previous season where injuries derailed their playoff aspirations. Morant's season was limited to just nine games due to a 25-game league suspension and a shoulder injury, while other key players like Desmond Bane and Brandon Clarke also faced significant time on the sidelines due to injuries.
Jenkins' coaching journey began when he took over from J.B. Bickerstaff, who was let go after failing to lead the team to the playoffs in the 2018-19 season. During his tenure, Jenkins was credited with developing young talent, particularly Ja Morant, who was drafted second overall in 2019, coinciding with Jenkins' arrival in Memphis.
Under Jenkins, the Grizzlies became a formidable force against lesser opponents, but their inability to compete consistently against the league's elite has been a persistent issue. The team's recent performance against top-tier teams has been a significant factor in their decision to make a coaching change. With the playoffs looming, the Grizzlies will need to quickly adapt to Iisalo's leadership style and find a way to regain their momentum.
As the dust settles on this dramatic coaching change, the basketball community will be watching closely to see how the Grizzlies respond in the coming games. Can they rally under new leadership and secure their playoff spot, or will this decision mark the beginning of a tumultuous end to their season? Only time will tell as Memphis embarks on a crucial stretch of games that could define the future of the franchise.
