The Memphis Grizzlies have dismissed head coach Taylor Jenkins after five-plus season.
This Taylor’s tour has ended early.
The Memphis Grizzlies announced on Friday they have parted ways with head coach Taylor Jenkins. The transaction was first reported by Chris Haynes of TNT Sports.
Memphis Grizzlies announce they have parted ways with head coach Taylor Jenkins.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) March 28, 2025
“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 from the team. “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.”
Thus ends Jenkins’ tenure atop the Grizzlies, as he was in the midst of his sixth season at the helm in Memphis. He departs Memphis as the franchise’s all-time leader in coaching wins with 250 in the regular season, plus an additional nine in the playoffs. That tally was fourth-most among NBA coaches since he took the job in 2019-20, trailing only Michael Malone (Denver), Doc Rivers (LA Clippers/Milwaukee), and Erik Spoelstra (Miami).
Alas for Jenkins, Memphis was unable to keep the regular season momentum rolling: the Grizzlies won just one playoff series under Jenkins’ watch, a six-game, first-round set with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2022. It was a disappointing end to a season where the Grizzlies tied their franchise single-season record with 56 victories and placed second in the Western Conference.
The timing of Jenkins’ ousting will no doubt create further headlines: the Grizzlies (44-29) have nine games left on their regular season docket and currently place fifth in the Western Conference. Memphis did drop four of Jenkins’ final five games, including a 125-104 decision to the conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, which served as the capper of a dire road trip.
No interim coach has been named but it’d hardly be shocking to see top assistant Tuomas Iisalo step for these final nine and the presumed postseason trip. The Grizzlies face the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night at home (8 p.m. ET, FanDuel Sports Southeast).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
