Grizzlies Make Shocking Personnel Move Heading Up To the Playoffs

In a shocking move for a team battling for home court advantage in the playoffs with just nine games to play, the Memphis Grizzlies have made a shocking personnel move, firing head coach Taylor Jenkins.

The 44-29 Memphis Grizzlies just fired Taylor Jenkins with 9 games left in the regular season

What is going on… pic.twitter.com/aRflSpdkcB
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) March 28, 2025

Taylor Jenkins was called into the Grizzlies office this morning and was fired in person, sources tell ESPN. Stunning dismissal. Jenkins now becomes one of the top head coaching candidates for the upcoming cycle. He had a .539 winning percentage as Grizzlies coach. https://t.co/fKRG7MNY58
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 28, 2025

The Grizz are 44-29 and tied for the 4th/5th seeds in the Western Conference.

But the team has struggled lately, and has a 9-13 record since the trade deadline. They have not defeated a team with a record above .500 during that time. And therein lies the biggest problem as they head towards the playoffs:

Against the 16 NBA teams at .500 or below this season, the Grizzlies are world-beaters, at 33-9. But against the best 13 teams in the league, they're 11-20, and in particular, have not been very competitive against the three teams ahead of them in the standings.

Yet because of the timing, just before the playoffs, this move is a stunning one. Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic was shocked.

“For me it’s not surprising news, it’s shocking news …. I know Taylor as a man and a coach and he is first class in everything he does … But I’m sure there will be a lot teams interested in having him coach their teams.” - Raptors head coach on Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins.
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) March 28, 2025

Jenkins went 250-214 as the Grizzlies coach over his six seasons in Memphis, the most coaching wins in franchise history.