Grizzlies, coach Taylor Jenkins part ways

The Memphis Grizzlies and head coach Taylor Jenkins have parted ways. 

The Grizzlies are in fifth place in the Western Conference standings with a record of 44-29. 

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Jenkins was called into the Grizzlies office this morning and fired in person.

“I’m genuinely appreciative of Taylor’s contributions to this team and this city over the past six seasons,” Memphis general manager Zach Kleiman said. “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.”

Jenkins became the head coach of the Grizzlies in 2019. He went 250-214 in the regular season and 9-14 in the playoffs. 

Memphis is second in the NBA in points per game, 24th in points per game allowed, sixth in offensive rating, 11th in defensive rating and fourth in net rating this season. 

This is a really strange move. The regular season is almost over and the Grizzlies are in a dogfight with the Los Angeles Lakers for the fourth seed in the Western Conference standings. 

The top four seeds get home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Lakers and Grizzlies play against each other on Saturday (3/29).

Memphis is led by Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane. It will be interesting to see what the three stars have to say about this stunning move. 

Morant has appeared in 43 games this season. He’s averaging 22.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.4 assists while shooting 44.9% from the field, 29.1% from beyond the arc and 83.4% from the free-throw line. 

Jackson Jr. has appeared in 66 games this season. He’s averaging 22.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 49.4% from the field, 37.5% from 3 and 77.6% from the free-throw line. 

Finally, Bane has appeared in 61 games this season. He’s averaging 18.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists while shooting 48.1% overall, 38.5% from 3 and 88.3% from the free-throw line.