The Memphis Grizzlies shocked the entire NBA world on Friday when they announced that head coach Taylor Jenkins was being let go. This move was completely unprecedented, with just a few weeks left before the start of the playoffs.
Read more:Grizzlies Shockingly Fire HC Taylor Jenkins Just Before Playoffs
This morning, Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman offered more details about why the team let Jenkins go. Kleiman spoke candidly and said that the decision was his alone.
"I came to the conclusion that this is in the best interest of the team and urgency is a core principle of ours, so I decided to go on with the move."
The firing of Jenkins was a curious one, especially with the Grizzlies being a top team in the Western Conference. Memphis holds a record of 44-29 on the season, and they are sitting in the No. 5 spot of the standings.
This team has been fighting all year through different injuries and still has found ways to win. Jenkins has been regarded as a great head coach in the NBA, so the decision came as a surprise to many.
More news: What's Next For Grizzlies Following Shocking Firing of Taylor Jenkins?
But it seems that the front office wanted a change and believes this move will help the team going forward. However, with the postseason quickly approaching, this move could be a lot for the Grizzlies to handle.
Head coaches don't typically get fired this late into the season, so it remains to be seen what will happen from this. We are now in uncharted territory when it comes to how the Grizzlies will respond to this change.
While the Grizzlies hadn't broken through with this core, many believe this could be the year. With Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. leading the charge, this Memphis team could cause real problems for opponents in the playoffs.
Memphis will now go forward with an interim coach to see what they can do down the stretch. The first game will be against the Los Angeles Lakers, giving the Grizzlies a chance to make a statement without their former head coach.
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This story was originally published March 29, 2025 at 9:15 AM.