The Memphis Grizzlies made a significant move on Friday by firing head coach Taylor Jenkins, marking the end of an era for the franchise's all-time winningest coach. This decision comes with just nine games remaining in the regular season, as the Grizzlies currently hold a record of 44-29 and sit fifth in the Western Conference.
Despite a solid start to the season, the Memphis Grizzlies have struggled lately, losing four out of their last five games and 11 of their last 19 since the All-Star break. This decline in performance likely influenced the decision to make a coaching change at this critical juncture of the season.
In a statement regarding the decision, Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman expressed gratitude towards Jenkins for his contributions over the past six seasons. "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," Kleiman stated.
During his time with the Grizzlies, Jenkins led the team to the postseason three times, including back-to-back 50-win seasons in 2021-22 and 2022-23. His coaching record stands at 250 wins and 214 losses in the regular season, but his playoff performance was less stellar, with a record of 9-14.
The Memphis Grizzlies will now look to find a new head coach who can steer the team back towards success as they head into the final stretch of the season. Further updates on the situation and potential candidates for the coaching role will follow as the franchise navigates this transitional period.
The story will be updated as more information becomes available. (Photo: Soobum Im / Getty Images)
