The Memphis Grizzlies made a stunning decision to fire head coach Taylor Jenkins despite being in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race.
Ja Morant, the team’s franchise star, was caught off guard by the move, reacting with a blunt, “Oh sh*t,” according to a team source who spoke with NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson.
Another source close to Morant described his reaction as “surprised,” adding that the two shared a strong relationship and that Morant “loves him.”
Jenkins, who had been at the helm since 2019, was dismissed amid growing internal tensions, despite leading Memphis to a 44-29 record and the fifth seed in the West.
Reportedly, frustrations had been mounting within the organization, particularly after Morant was pushed to play in a March 5 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder when he felt he wasn’t ready.
Several Grizzlies players were reportedly “shocked” that Morant played in that game, exposing a disconnect between Jenkins and the roster.
The controversy surrounding Morant’s playing time was not the only sign of discontent, as issues with player usage and internal accountability plagued the team throughout the season.
Rookie center Zach Edey, who has started 47 of 58 games, found himself at the center of a dispute between Jenkins and general manager Zach Kleiman.
Kleiman had publicly envisioned Edey as a key defensive presence, but Jenkins’ inconsistent deployment of the 7-foot-4 rookie led to frustrations.
A source described the situation as a blame game, saying, “Zach blamed Taylor. Taylor blamed Zach. No one takes accountability for absolutely anything.”
Tensions escalated further when second-year forward GG Jackson, who had an impressive rookie season, was sent to the G League on March 17 after voicing frustration about his role.
Internal friction was on full display during a March 25 victory over the Utah Jazz when Desmond Bane and Santi Aldama got into an altercation on the bench.
The turmoil ultimately led to Jenkins’ firing, marking the end of his tenure as the winningest coach in franchise history with a 250-214 record.
Jenkins’ tenure peaked in 2022 when he guided the Grizzlies to a 56-26 record and was named NBA Coach of the Year.
Assistant coach Tuomas Iisalo has been named interim head coach and is tasked with stabilizing the team as the playoffs approach.
Iisalo, who led Paris Basketball to a EuroCup title in 2024, has earned respect for his tactical approach but faces the challenge of navigating a locker room filled with tension.
The Grizzlies dropped Iisalo’s debut game, falling to the Los Angeles Lakers 134-127, but remain in fifth place in the West.
With just eight games left in the regular season, Memphis must adjust quickly under new leadership if it hopes to make a deep postseason run.
