The Memphis Grizzlies decided to shake things up in a major way ahead of the NBA Playoffs. This is after the team decided to fire head coach Taylor Jenkins after six years at the helm.
There's no denying that the Grizzlies have been struggling of late -- they had lost four out of the last five games leading up to Jenkins' abrupt exit -- but the fact still remains that the decision to fire their coach so close to the postseason took more than a few NBA fans by surprise.
NBA reporter Taylor Rooks provided an update on the unexpected turn of events on Monday during Memphis' 117-103 loss against the defending champs Boston Celtics. This included Ja Morant's supposed role in the firing, or rather, the lack thereof.
"This is the Grizzlies' second game since Taylor Jenkins was fired," Rooks said. "A decision, I am told, was about the second half of the season. The defense had slipped, they had lost nine straight games against .500 or better, and the belief was the team simply needed a new voice.
"I can confirm that Ja Morant did not ask for this move to be made, and the team did not know that this was coming."
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) © Ken Blaze-Imagn Images © Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Rooks then went on to report that the Grizzlies are remaining faithful to Morant amid this major coaching move. This is despite rumors of a potential blockbuster trade for the two-time All-Star.
"There has been speculation on what this move means for Ja," Rooks said. "Back in February, Grizzlies president Zach Kleiman made his stance on Ja clear: They're not trading him and he is their future.
"And my understanding is everything they said then still applies now, and the team is fully committed to Ja moving forward."
As the Grizzlies begin their second game under interim HC Tuomas Iisalo, @TaylorRooks has the latest on Memphis parting ways with Taylor Jenkins pic.twitter.com/XjNAu8JGyk
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 31, 2025
It has been an up-and-down six seasons in Memphis for Morant, and while he's had his fair share of trouble off the court, there's no denying that the 25-year-old still remains one of the top young superstars in the NBA.
The Grizzlies are well aware of this fact, and based on Rooks' new report here, they have every intention of moving forward with Morant at the forefront for the foreseeable future.
After Sunday's loss to Boston, the Grizzlies have fallen to 44-31. As of writing, they remain fifth in the West, but are just one game ahead of the ninth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers.
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This story was originally published April 1, 2025 at 5:29 AM.