Taylor Jenkins has been fired as Memphis Grizzlies coach, with the team announcing the move Friday despite sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference.
Sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania that Jenkins was called into the Grizzlies’ office Friday morning and told he was being fired.
“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.”
Jenkins, 40, had served as Grizzlies coach since 2019-20 — the same season Ja Morant was named Rookie of the Year. The Grizzlies made three postseason appearances with Jenkins, with one playoff series win.
Memphis has lost four of its past five games, with Morant sidelined due to a strained hamstring, and has gone 8-11 since the All-Star break, the 21st-best record in the NBA in that span.
The Grizzlies host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, as both teams enter with matching 44-29 records.
Earlier this season, Jenkins became the winningest coach in Grizzlies history. He leaves with a 250-214 record (.539).
Memphis had turned things around this season after a 27-55 campaign in 2023-24, which was marred by the absence of Morant for 73 games due to injury and suspension.
Jenkins signed a multiyear contract extension with the Grizzlies in June 2022. He previously worked as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks (2013-18) and Milwaukee Bucks (2018-19).
Information from Field Level Media was used in this report.
