The Memphis Grizzlies have made a shocking change as they prepare for a playoff push.
Taylor Jenkins has been fired as head coach of the Grizzlies, the team announced on Friday.
“I’m genuinely appreciative of Taylor’s contributions to this team and this city over the past six seasons,” Grizzlies president Zach Kleiman said in a statement. “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.”
_May 3, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins watches during the first half in game two of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports_
The Grizzlies entered Friday with a record of 44-29, which is tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the fourth-best in the Western Conference. Memphis has nine games remaining and is headed to the postseason barring a complete disaster.
Jenkins was in his sixth season with the Grizzlies. The team went 27-55 last year and missed the playoffs for the first time since his first season in 2019, but they had turned things around. Ja Morant appeared in just nine games last season, which was the biggest factor in Memphis having a bad year.
One of Jenkins’ last notable moments with the Grizzlies will be when he was [accused by Draymond Green of flopping during a skirmish](https://larrybrownsports.com/basketball/draymond-green-calls-out-grizzlies-coach-flopping/630402) last week.
The Grizzlies made several staff changes heading into the 2024-25 season, which led to speculation that Jenkins was on his way out. That does not make the timing of the move any less stunning.