MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — In a surprising yet decisive move, the Memphis Grizzlies have fired Taylor Jenkins, their winningest coach, on Friday, March 28, 2025. This decision comes as the team struggles down the stretch, currently sitting at No. 5 in the Western Conference standings and at risk of losing home-court advantage for the postseason.
Jenkins, who has been at the helm for six seasons, was let go with the team poised to play three crucial home games in a four-day span starting Saturday against the Los Angeles Lakers, followed by matchups against the Boston Celtics on Monday and the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. This stretch is critical, as eight of Memphis’ final nine opponents are either playoff teams or contending for a play-in spot.
Despite the team's current standing, there remains a mathematical possibility for the Grizzlies to climb back to the No. 2 seed in the West, and it is highly unlikely that they will fall into the play-in tournament range. Nonetheless, the franchise decided it was time for a change. “This was a difficult decision, given the consistent and tangible development of our players and overall success under Taylor’s leadership,” said Zach Kleiman, the Grizzlies' president and general manager of basketball operations. The team has not announced an interim coach, although reports indicate that lead assistant Tuomas Iisalo may step in.
Jenkins was the fifth longest-tenured coach with his current club in the league, trailing only the likes of San Antonio's Gregg Popovich, Miami's Erik Spoelstra, Golden State's Steve Kerr, and Denver's Michael Malone, all of whom have won NBA championships. However, Jenkins’ tenure has been marred by disappointing results against top-tier teams this season. The Grizzlies were 0-4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, suffering losses by margins of 24, 13, 17, and 21 points. They also posted a 3-6 record against the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, and the Lakers, the three teams currently ahead of them in the Western Conference standings.
Throughout the season, Memphis has excelled against teams with losing records, boasting a 33-9 record against clubs at .500 or worse. However, their struggles against teams with winning records have been glaring, as they stand at a disappointing 11-20 against the 13 teams currently over .500, getting outscored by a total of 77 points in those matches.
Jenkins, who finishes his tenure with a career record of 250-214, made history on November 20, 2024, when he surpassed Lionel Hollins for the most wins in franchise history with a victory against the Philadelphia 76ers. He also holds the record for the most games coached in Grizzlies history since the franchise's inception in 1995.
During his time in Memphis, Jenkins led the team to the postseason three times, although they only advanced to the second round once. The highlight of his coaching career came during the 2021-22 season when the Grizzlies achieved a franchise-best 56 wins, capturing the Southwest Division title and earning the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. They successfully ousted the Minnesota Timberwolves in the opening round but fell to the Golden State Warriors in the next round, a series that saw star guard Ja Morant dealing with injuries.
Jenkins was hired in 2019, replacing J.B. Bickerstaff, who was dismissed after failing to lead the team to the playoffs during the 2018-19 season. Jenkins’ arrival coincided with the Grizzlies drafting Morant with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The team made the playoffs three consecutive years from 2021 to 2023, but last season proved to be a disaster, finishing with a 27-55 record as Morant missed 73 games due to a combination of injury and suspension.
This season, Jenkins attempted to revamp the team’s offensive strategy, focusing on spacing, but Memphis has struggled with turnovers and consistency. The team spent a significant portion of the season in second place in the West, but a rough patch has seen them drop to their current fifth position. Once again, Jenkins was tasked with managing a team that has seen Morant limited to just 43 games due to various health issues, including a strained hamstring that kept him out of the game against the Houston Rockets on Thursday night, marking his sixth consecutive absence.
As the Grizzlies prepare for their upcoming games, the organization faces a critical juncture. With a playoff berth still within reach, the team must rally and adapt quickly to the changes brought on by Jenkins' departure. The upcoming matches against the Lakers, Celtics, and Warriors will be pivotal in determining the fate of the Grizzlies as they navigate the final stretch of the regular season.
In the wake of Jenkins' firing, the Grizzlies will look to regain their footing and make a strong push for the playoffs. With the right adjustments and leadership, Memphis hopes to turn things around and secure a favorable position in the postseason.
