Grizzlies Players React To Shocking Coaching Change

Following Saturday’s shootaround, Desmond Bane and other on-court leaders of the Grizzlies called a players-only meeting to address the team’s decision to dismiss head coach Taylor Jenkins, reports William Guillory of The Athletic. 

Tuomas Iisalo has taken over as interim coach, leaving the team with the challenge of regrouping as the regular season winds down—Memphis has just eight games left.

Bane emphasized the need for open dialogue, saying:

“I wanted everyone to express their raw emotions—no holding back. Once we got it all out, we could truly move forward. We’ve got a talented group, and we can still achieve something special. Tuomas is a sharp guy, and we need to buy into his approach. Let’s see what we can do in these final games and beyond.”

Star guard Ja Morant, who returned from a six-game hamstring absence against the Lakers, admitted struggling with the news. 

“It’s tough for me. Coach Taylor has been here since I arrived—everything I’ve done in a Grizzlies jersey was under him,” Morant said postgame. “This is my first time dealing with a coach leaving mid-career. The timing made it harder, but we had to move on quickly.”

Jaren Jackson Jr. echoed the sentiment, telling The Memphis Commercial Appeal’s Wendell Shepherd Jr., “That’s my guy forever. It was shocking, no matter when it happened. He made a huge impact here, and he’ll be in high demand wherever he goes—rightfully so.”

The players acknowledged that their post-All-Star slump likely played a role in Jenkins’ firing. As Guillory notes, Memphis has lost 10 straight to winning teams, including Saturday’s defeat against the Lakers.

“It’s definitely on us,” Bane said, per Shepherd. “We’re the ones on the floor—Coach didn’t take a single shot. Coaches often take the blame, but it comes down to the players. We were all shocked, but at the end of the day, we have to win games.”

Image - Alonzo Adams-Imagn