Memphis Grizzlies sack head coach on the eve of NBA playoffs

An NBA championship contender has left fans in disbelief after sacking their head coach only weeks out from the playoffs starting.

The Memphis Grizzlies just sent a shockwave through the NBA.

Despite being in the thick of the Western Conference playoffs with nine games to go, Memphis fired head coach Taylor Jenkins on Saturday (AEDT) in a surprising move, the NY Post reports.

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Jenkins, the winningest coach in franchise history, had guided the Grizzlies to a superb 44-29 record and fifth place in the Western Conference.

In his place, assistant coach Tuomas Lisalo will take over as the interim head coach. It is not yet clear why he was relieved of his duties.

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 19: Head coach Taylor Jenkins of the Memphis Grizzlies watches from the sideline during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on March 19, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Soobum Im/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Soobum Im / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

“I’m genuinely appreciate 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.”

News of Jenkins’ dismissal quickly sent the basketball world into a spin with countless fans left in disbelief over the move.

Veteran presenter Michelle Beadle wrote on X: “What the hell?!?!”

A second wrote: “Taylor Jenkins has to have an Ime Udoka situation brewing because I’ve never seen a coach fired 73 games into a season.”

A third pointed out: “They had Taylor Jenkins favoured as the 4th highest coach to win COTY not even a week ago, and he just got fired right before the playoffs. The NBA is crazy.”

Ja Morant and the Grizzlies shook things up right before the playoffs. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

The Grizzlies had faltered a bit in the last twenty games, going 8-12 while ceding the second seed in the West, including losses to Sacramento and Portland to open a road trip that now faces uncertainty with the Clippers, Jazz and Thunder up next.

Star Ja Morant has played in just 43 games this season and regressed slightly, posting a career low field percentage and his worst points per game total since 2020-21.

Jenkins had previously been getting some Coach of the Year buzz, having the fifth best odds to win the award on DraftKings Sportsbook.

This article originally appeared on the NY Post and was reproduced with permission.

Originally published as Memphis Grizzlies sack head coach on the eve of NBA playoffs