The Memphis Grizzlies are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for fourth place in the Western Conference, but they fired head coach Taylor Jenkins on Friday after six seasons. Former assistant Tuomas Iisalo will be the interim coach for the remainder of the campaign.
The decision was considered a surprise around the league, as Jenkins had the Grizzlies at 44-29 despite star guard Ja Morant missing 30 games. The former Milwaukee Bucks assistant also went 464-250 over his entire tenure, as well as 9-14 in the playoffs.
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra doesn’t understand Memphis’ decision, via ClutchPoints’ Sam DiGiovanni.
“It’s incredibly disappointing. This profession is tough,” the two-time NBA champion said before the Heat’s game on Saturday.” You want to be in it together, through the good and the bad…He built a great culture there…They’ve won at a high level…I don’t get it.”
The Grizzlies now must fight to maintain their playoff seeding in a tight Western Conference over the remaining nine regular-season games, starting with Saturday’s Lakers matchup.
Memphis (44-29) is two games behind the Denver Nuggets (47-28) and just two games ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers (42-31) and Golden State Warriors (42-31). It’s also only 2.5 games in front of the Minnesota Timberwolves (42-32).
Next up for the Grizzlies after Saturday are home tilts with the Boston Celtics (54-19) on Monday and the Golden State Warriors (44-29) on Tuesday. They’ll then face the Miami Heat (32-41), the Detroit Pistons (42-32), and the Charlotte Hornets (18-55) on the road.
