'Stunning dismissal'; NBA world reacts after Memphis Grizzlies fire Taylor Jenkins

[ASFN Admin]

When the Grizzlies announced Friday morning that they'd fired coach Taylor Jenkins, the NBA world had a pretty consistent reaction: shock.

Memphis is tied for fourth in the western conference with only nine games left in the regular season, so the Grizzlies made this move while gearing up for a playoff run.

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

Tuomas Iisalo has been named interim head coach, ESPN's Shams Charania reported.

Jenkins — the winningest coach in Grizzlies history — has been in charge since 2019, but general manager Zach Kleiman will now look for another coach as the Grizzlies head toward the postseason. The timing caught almost everyone off guard, even if Grizzlies fans had been unhappy with the direction of the team this season. Memphis has struggled since the NBA All-Star break and has lost four of its last five games.

The Grizzlies are set to host the Lakers on Saturday night at FedExForum.

Here are some reactions to Jenkins' firing from across the NBA.

Whatever the circumstances … it’s the timing. You don’t see NBA teams heading for 50 wins make coaching changes with nine games to go before the playoffs. That’s the stunning part.

Why not make the change sooner if there are issues? https://t.co/NtH1OGiIJB

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 28, 2025

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

They had Taylor Jenkins favored 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. pic.twitter.com/frBN8JL3VP

— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) March 28, 2025

Memphis changed out virtually all of Taylor Jenkins’ coaching staff after last season, which raised eyebrows across the league. But to make this decision on the Grizzlies’ bench right now… a truly surprising development.

— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) March 28, 2025

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: 'Stunning dismissal'; NBA world reacts after Grizzlies fire Taylor Jenkins

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