The Memphis Grizzlies have made the shock decision to part ways with head coach Taylor Jenkins after six seasons, despite the team being playoff-bound in the NBA.
Jenkins had led his team to the fourth-best record in the Western Conference this season with just nine games to go, only behind Oklahoma City, Houston and Denver, and on a par with the Los Angeles Lakers.
But despite their impressive form, much improved after a 13th-placed finish last season, the team’s president revealed the stunning news on Friday afternoon.
In a statement, President and GM of Basketball Operations Zach Kleiman said: ‘I’m genuinely appreciative of Taylor’s contributions to this team and this city over the past six seasons.
‘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.’
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported shortly after the announcement that Jenkins was called into the Grizzlies facility and told the news in person on Friday morning.
Taylor Jenkins has been fired by the Memphis Grizzlies after six seasons in charge of the team
Led by Ja Morant, the Grizzlies are in playoff contention with just nine games left to play
Referencing the ‘stunning decision’, Charania added: ‘Jenkins now becomes one of the top head coaching candidates for the upcoming cycle’, with a winning percentage of .539 in Memphis.
He first took over the team for the 2019-20 season, and made the playoffs in three of his five completed seasons.
This year, the Grizzlies looked set to make the playoffs again under his leadership, but the job of completing the task will now be given to someone else.
Jenkins’ final game came on Thursday night when Memphis were beaten by Oklahoma City
Jenkins was heading for a third season of making the playoffs across his six years in charge
Milwaukee was 40-year-old Jenkins’ first head coaching job in the NBA, after he was previously an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks from 2013 to 2018, before moving to Milwaukee in the same position for a year.
The decision, perhaps unsurprisingly, left fans in shock on social media, with one writing: ‘The 44-29 Grizzlies just fired their coach right before the playoffs… what is going on?!’
Another added: ‘The Grizzlies had been playing way above their available talent level for 3 of the past 4 seasons and Taylor Jenkins might’ve been the biggest reason why.
‘Consistently got value out of back end rotation guys. And we’re 10 games away from the playoffs? Shocking.’