Memphis Grizzlies Part Ways with Head Coach Taylor Jenkins

The Memphis Grizzlies have parted ways with Taylor Jenkins, ending his four-year tenure as head coach and sparking uncertainty ahead of the playoffs.

The Memphis Grizzlies have made a shocking decision to part ways with their head coach, Taylor Jenkins, as the NBA regular season nears its end. Despite being fourth in the Western Conference with a 44-29 record, the team has struggled lately, losing four of their last six games. This slump seems to have prompted the Grizzlies to make a change, leaving many in the basketball world surprised.

Jenkins had been with the Grizzlies since the 2019-2020 season and had become the team's winningest coach. During his tenure, he led the team to three consecutive playoff appearances from 2021 to 2023. However, the team's recent struggles appear to have outweighed his past successes.

The Grizzlies' decision to fire Jenkins came on the heels of a 125-104 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The team is now left to search for a new head coach with just nine games remaining in the regular season. Grizzlies president and GM of basketball operations Zach Kleiman praised Jenkins' contributions to the team, saying, “I'm genuinely appreciative of Taylor's contributions to this team and this city over the past six seasons.”

Breaking: The Grizzlies have parted ways with head coach Taylor Jenkins, the team announced. pic.twitter.com/iPOs4lvNTa

— ESPN (@espn) March 28, 2025

Taylor Jenkins' tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies has come to an unexpected end, despite his efforts to navigate the team through injury-plagued seasons. Since joining the Grizzlies in 2019, Jenkins, a former assistant to Mike Budenholzer, has secured only one playoff series victory in five years.

Jenkins faced significant challenges during his time in Memphis, particularly with regards to player injuries. Star point guard Ja Morant, for instance, has struggled with recurring injuries, playing just 49 games over the last two seasons. Furthermore, Morant has also faced off-court issues, adding to the team's difficulties.

The timing of Jenkins' dismissal is surprising, given that only nine regular season games remain and the playoffs are looming. The decision raises questions about who will take the reins in Memphis and whether this change will have a significant impact on the team's performance. It is possible that this move may be a precursor to a more extensive overhaul of the team this summer, particularly if they fail to make a deep playoff run.