Memphis Grizzlies fired head coach Taylor Jenkins despite being No. 5 seed in the Western Conference on Friday. Grizzlies’ shocking decision to share ways with Jenkins comes with only nine games in regular season before the NBA playoffs begin.
“I’m really appreciated by Taylor’s contribution to this team and this city in the last six seasons,” said Grizzlie’s president and general manager of basketball operations Zach Kleiman in a statement sent to social media.
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New Orleans Pelican’s main coach Taylor Jenkins looks at New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of Smoothie King Center on March 9, 2025. (Stephen Lew-IMAGN images)
“This was a difficult decision given the consistent and concrete development of our players and gathered success under Taylor’s leadership. I wish Taylor wish the very best in the future.”
Grizzlies are 44-29 and while they have the same record as Los Angeles Lakers, Lakers Head-to-Head has tiebreaker. With tiebreaker, Lakers is fourth on the position of Grizzlies.
The decision to fire Jenkins is on the heels of a 125-104 loss to the top seed team at the western conference, Oklahoma City Thunder.
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Memphis Grizzlie’s main coach Taylor Jenkins looks at his team play against Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of the Paycom Center on March 27, 2025. (Alonzo Adams Preferred Pictures)
Grizzlies are 5-5 in their last ten matches as they continue to jockey for playoff positioning with Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves. Clippers and Warriors are 41-31, while Timberwolves are 41-32.
Jenkins, 40, was hired in 2019 and was 250-214 in his Grizzlies-Embed period. Jenkins’ 250 wins are the most coaching victories in the franchise history.
Last season, the team fought and went 27-55 when the Star Point Guard Yes Morant only played in nine games due to injury and suspension.
Memphis Grizzlie’s main coach Taylor Jenkins looks at his team play against Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of the Paycom Center on March 27, 2025. (Alonzo Adams Preferred Pictures)
With Morant back in the fold, Grizzlies improved this season and with a catastrophic last nine games will play.
From the time of this writing, a temporary head coach had not yet been named.
Grizzlies’ next match is against Lakers at home, Saturday at. 20.00 one where they take the floor for a central game with another coach.
