MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies announced Friday that they have fired coach Taylor Jenkins just nine games from the end of the regular season and the start of the NBA playoffs.

The Grizzlies (44-29) currently sit in fifth place in the Western Conference standings with an identical record as the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers. Memphis suffered a 125-104 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night to complete a five-game road trip in which they lost all but one game with star Ja Morant sidelined by injury.

“I’m genuinely appreciative of Taylor’s contributions to this team and this city over the past six seasons,” Grizzlies General Manager Zach Kleiman said in a statement. “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.”

Memphis hired Jenkins in 2019 and he helped the Grizzlies get to the Western Conference semifinals in 2021-22, when he finished second in NBA coach of the year voting. He had more wins than any coach in franchise history and a 250-214 overall record during his tenure in Memphis.

But the Grizzlies have struggled in recent months with a 9-13 record since Feb. 8. They did not defeat a team with an above .500 record during that time and it comes on the heels of Jenkins instituting a staff overhaul this past offseason. The Grizzlies have not yet announced who will coach the team for the remainder of this season and during the postseason.

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