Memphis Grizzlies Part Ways with Coach Taylor Jenkins
On Friday, the Memphis Grizzlies made the surprising announcement that they had fired Taylor Jenkins, the franchise’s all-time winningest coach. This decision comes as the team struggles during the crucial end of the season, risking their home-court advantage for the upcoming playoffs.
Assistant Coach Takes Over as Interim Head Coach
Despite currently holding the No. 5 position in the Western Conference, the Grizzlies opted to replace Jenkins. They revealed that assistant coach Tuomas Iisalo would step in as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Iisalo, who was Jenkins’ lead assistant and the first Finnish coach in the NBA, joined the team just before the start of the current season.
Coaching Background of Tuomas Iisalo
The Helsinki native has an impressive coaching background in Europe, including a successful tenure as head coach of Paris Basketball in 2024, where he won the EuroCup and earned honors as the league’s coach of the year. He has also coached other teams in Germany and has a solid playing history in Europe.
Challenges Ahead for the Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are entering a demanding stretch, with three home games scheduled within four days against formidable opponents such as the Lakers, Celtics, and Golden State. Additionally, eight of Memphis’s remaining nine games will be against teams either in the playoffs or contending for play-in spots. While there is still a chance to reclaim the No. 2 seed in the West, Memphis decided it was time for a change to improve their prospects.
Reflecting on Jenkins’ Tenure
During his six seasons with the Grizzlies, Jenkins achieved a lot, including becoming the franchise’s winningest coach with a record of 250-214. He guided the team to the playoffs three times, reaching the second round once. Last season, the Grizzlies won 56 games, marking their best performance under his leadership.
Performance Issues Against Top Teams
Despite strong performances against lower-ranked teams (33 wins against teams under .500), Jenkins faced criticism for the Grizzlies’ lackluster results against playoff-caliber opponents, finishing the season with a 11-20 record against teams currently over .500. The team struggled particularly against Oklahoma City, who defeated the Grizzlies in all four matchups this season.
Injury Challenges and Team Dynamics
This season has been challenging for Jenkins, as star player Ja Morant dealt with a series of injuries and suspensions. Morant played only nine games due to a suspension and injury, while other key players also faced significant time on the sidelines. Jenkins’ efforts to adapt the team’s strategies and personnel ultimately fell short, culminating in his dismissal.
