The Memphis Grizzlies are facing internal turmoil as frustrations with head coach Taylor Jenkins have surfaced in the wake of his unexpected firing. Despite holding the fifth seed in the competitive Western Conference, Memphis decided to part ways with Jenkins, prompting questions about the team’s future direction.
Damichael Cole of The Commercial Appeal shed light on some of the growing tensions within the organization, particularly involving star guard Ja Morant. After a March 5 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Morant expressed frustration, saying he felt he shouldn’t have played. Sources close to the situation revealed that Morant felt the team pushed him to play before he was ready, which added to the growing concerns about Jenkins’ management.
Multiple Grizzlies players were reportedly “shocked” by the decision to play Morant in that game, signaling a disconnect between the team’s leadership and its players. Morant’s comments, coupled with the controversy surrounding his playing time, highlighted the frustrations that had been building throughout the season.
In addition to Morant’s concerns, tensions have surfaced with rookie Zach Edey, who has started in 47 of his 58 games this season. Despite general manager Zach Kleiman’s earlier public stance on using Edey as an enforcer against smaller teams, Jenkins’ inconsistent usage of the 7-foot-4 rookie has raised eyebrows. The disconnect between Kleiman’s vision and Jenkins’ execution has led to a lack of accountability, with a source saying, “Zach blamed Taylor. Taylor blamed Zach. No one takes accountability for absolutely anything.”
The frustration has not been limited to Morant and Edey. In another unsettling development, second-year player GG Jackson, coming off an impressive NBA All-Rookie campaign, was sent to the G League on March 17 after expressing frustration with his role. The decision was yet another sign of growing discontent within the Grizzlies’ locker room.
Tensions between players also came to the forefront during a March 25 victory over the Utah Jazz. Forward Desmond Bane and big man Santi Aldama were involved in an altercation that went viral after the two were separated on the bench. This incident reflected a larger issue: players were visibly checking out on Jenkins despite the team being on the cusp of a playoff berth.
“You got guys checking out on Jenkins, and they’re a top-five team in the West about to go to the playoffs,” one source told The Commercial Appeal. The mounting frustrations within the team, compounded by Jenkins’ struggles to adapt to the evolving demands of the season, ultimately led to his dismissal.
With the Grizzlies now in a high-stakes position, assistant coach Tuomas Iisalo has been named interim head coach. Iisalo, who previously led Paris Basketball to a EuroCup title in 2024, will try to stabilize the team as Memphis fights to maintain its playoff positioning. His success in Europe has earned him respect for his tactical acumen, but his ability to navigate the tensions within the Grizzlies’ roster will be put to the test in the final weeks of the regular season.
Jenkins leaves behind a legacy as the winningest coach in franchise history, compiling a 250-214 record. However, his tenure ended with questions about his ability to manage a roster facing adversity, including injuries and inconsistent performance. Jenkins’ leadership, which once led Memphis to a 56-26 record in 2022 and earned him NBA Coach of the Year honors, is now a distant memory as the Grizzlies enter a new chapter under Iisalo’s guidance.
The Grizzlies’ coaching change has raised more questions than answers, and Memphis will now face the difficult task of finding long-term stability. With Iisalo in charge for the remainder of the season, the team’s playoff hopes depend on how quickly they can adjust to this new leadership.
