The Memphis Grizzlies have made the shocking decision to fire head coach Taylor Jenkins. They made this decision despite the fact that the Grizzlies are tied for fourth in the Western Conference.
Read more:Grizzlies Shockingly Fire HC Taylor Jenkins Just Before Playoffs
What's even more shocking about the firing is that the Grizzlies have just nine games left in the regular season. On the surface, the firing doesn't make a lot of sense.
Memphis has dealt with a lot of injuries this season, including star players Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. Making this decision as they are about to make a run in the playoffs is shocking.
Grizzlies President Zach Kleiman made a statement discussing the firing.
"I'm genuinely appreciative of Taylor's contributions to this team and this city over the past six seasons. 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."
Based on that statement, it doesn't seem like they think Jenkins was developing the young players that they have on their roster well enough.
The Grizzlies will now have to play in the playoffs with an interim head coach. With Jenkins gone, it seems more likely that the Grizzlies will lose in the first round of the playoffs.
If the season were to end today, the Grizzlies would face the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. That is certainly not an ideal matchup for them.
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Memphis makes this coaching change as the Grizzlies are 44-29. It's hard to believe that they would make this move with them playing as well as they have.
Morant has missed the last six games for the Grizzlies. He has a hamstring injury that he is trying to recover from before the playoffs start.
If he is able to come back before the playoffs start, this team has a lot more promise. Even with that understanding, Jenkins has been relieved of his duties.
This could be a rallying point for this young Grizzlies team. They could try to make a deep run in the playoffs for Jenkins.
It's unclear who the Grizzlies have on their shortlist of coaching candidates. Their search will likely start as soon as they are eliminated from the playoffs.
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This story was originally published March 28, 2025 at 9:47 AM.