The Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor Jenkins, their winningest coach, after six seasons.
The Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor Jenkins, their winningest coach, after six seasons.Nate Billings/Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO — Former Grizzlies forward Xavier Tillman said he was surprised by the timing of the firing of coach Taylor Jenkins, but not the move itself.
The NBA world was stunned when Jenkins, the franchise’s all-time winningest coach, was fired Friday with nine games left in the season and Memphis the fifth seed in the Western Conference, despite a myriad of injuries.
Tillman, who played his first 3½ NBA seasons under Jenkins, said he noticed some organizational upheaval when the franchise made coaching changes in the offseason.
“During the summer, when I saw they let go of all his assistants, I kind of had an inkling that something might go down by the end of the season,” he told the Globe. “But definitely not a couple of games before the playoffs.”
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla, who has long stated that coaches are hired to be fired because of the brutal NBA business, had nothing but compliments for Jenkins.
“It’s not a surprise (because of the business) but it doesn’t mean you don’t feel bad for him,” Mazzulla said. “He was one of the best coaches in the league and I think he’ll bounce back quickly and get another job and any place will be lucky to have him. But at the same time, it’s just kind of how it goes. You stay present in the situation that you’re in. I’m grateful that I’m here. I’m grateful that we have the ownership, the front office, the alignment with the players and you don’t take that for granted and you see how long you can have it for. It’s humbling and at the same time you feel for his family.”
Monday will be Tillman’s first game in Memphis since the club traded him to the Celtics in February 2024. He was a popular player on the Grizzlies and still holds strong friendships with several of his former teammates.
“It’s going to be great to see all my guys,” he said. “My old teammates, still a lot of them my friends to this day, including the staff. It’s going be good to see them and check on them.”
Rookie impact
Saturday was the seventh consecutive game Baylor Scheierman has played for the Celtics as he continues to earn minutes with his hustle and shot making. Scheierman was averaging 6.8 points in his past six games and 34.7 percent on 3-pointers.
Mazzulla is particular about who he puts on the floor and it’s apparent Scheierman has gained his trust and perhaps could carve out playoff minutes He has nine more games to make a stronger impression.
“It’s a lot of fun to be out there playing meaningful minutes, obviously, when the game matters,” Scheierman said. “Just trying to take advantage of every opportunity I have and play really hard and have a lot of fun.”
The Celtics drafted Scheierman in the first round because of his experience — a five-year college player — his versatility and skill set. He was able to adapt that set to G-League Maine but got off to a slow start during his brief stints with the Celtics. After sitting for three consecutive games, Scheierman played nearly 30 minutes on March 6 against the Philadelphia 76ers and scored 15 points. That appeared to spark his confidence.
Twelve days later, he tallied 20 points, including six 3-pointers and a 35-foot buzzer beater in a home win against Brooklyn without Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. He’s played double-digit minutes in his past six games as Mazzulla fleshes out his lineups as he gives starters rest.
“I think it honestly gives me a lot of confidence knowing everything that I’ve done up to this point has translated (to the NBA),” Scheierman said. “It gives me a lot of confidence going forward knowing that I belong. I can see myself here for a while.”
Scheierman said he has experienced considerable growth since being drafted, using his stint in Maine to build confidence and reps.
“I got a lot stronger physically and I think that’s a big thing as well,” he said. “I think the time spent in Maine and the time spent improving the last five or six months, whether that was in Maine or the ‘stay ready’ group and honing everything that I was kind of already good at. Just sharpening it even more so when I got that opportunity
Pritchard, Horford rest
The Celtics decided to rest Payton Pritchard with left flexor tightness and Al Horford with a left big toe sprain, although both participated in Saturday morning’s voluntary shootaround.
Tillman, who has not played since March 6, was activated after participating in the morning workout. Tatum (ankle) and Brown (knee) were not listed on the injury report and were expected to play.
The Spurs were without Victor Wembanyama (deep vein thrombosis, left shoulder) and De’Aaron Fox (tendon surgery on his left pinkie).
Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at gary.washburn@globe.com. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.