THE Memphis Grizzlies stunned the world with the firing of head coach Taylor Jenkins this late in the 2025 season.

Taylor Jenkins, Memphis Grizzlies head coach, at a game.

The Grizzlies’ decision comes as they currently hold a playoff spot with just nine games left in the regular season.

The Grizzlies announced they parted ways with Jenkins – even though the franchise is No. 5 in the Western Conference with a 44-29 record.

“I’m genuinely appreciative of Taylor’s contributions to this team and this city over the past six seasons,” Grizzlies President and GM of Basketball Operations 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.”

Taylor Jenkins, head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, watches a game.

ESPN reported that assistant Tuomas Iisalo will take over as the Grizzlies’ interim coach.

Jenkins has been the head coach of the Grizzlies since 2019, recording a 250-214 record during his time.

The 40-year-old led the Grizzlies to the postseason three times and became the franchise’s winningest coach in November.

Led by Jenkins, this year’s Grizzlies were at one point sitting with the No. 2 spot in the West after a 2023-24 season in which they went 27-55 due to injuries to key players, including Ja Morant.

However, the Grizzlies have lost two of their last six games and are at risk of losing home-court advantage in the playoffs.

They parted ways with Jenkins before the team’s three home games in a four-day span that begins on Saturday – and all three contests come against either playoff contending for a play-in spot.

Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies and his coach during an NBA game.

Eight of the Grizzlies’ final nine opponents are potential playoff teams.

There’s a mathematical chance the team can grab a No. 2 spot in the West and it’s not likely they will participate in the Play-In Tournament.

The Grizzlies’ struggles against the NBA’s best teams likely didn’t help Jenkins’s job security.

They are 11-20 against teams over .500 with a -77-point differential.

The Grizzlies are 33-9 versus squads that are at .500 or worse.

Nonetheless, there has yet to be new info on why the Grizzlies let go Jenkins this late in the season.

It’s worth noting the Grizzlies’ struggles in their last six games came while Morant has been out with a hamstring injury.

They lost to the MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander-led No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder by 21 points on Thursday night in Jenkins’s last game with the club.

The Grizzlies will face LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.