General manager Zach Kleiman of the Memphis Grizzlies defended the controversial firing of coach Taylor Jenkins with just nine games left in the regular season while the team was vying for a playoff spot. Kleiman emphasized that the decision was solely his and was made in the best interest of the team. He addressed the media following the Grizzlies’ pregame shootaround ahead of their matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, where it was announced that Tuomas Iisalo would step in as the interim coach for the remainder of the season.
Kleiman stated, “I concluded that this move was necessary for our team, and given our core principle of urgency, I decided to make the change.” He pointed out that the players were not consulted about the decision and acknowledged his responsibility for all aspects of team management, including coaching and roster decisions.
Despite the recent struggles against top teams in the Western Conference, Kleiman remained optimistic about the team’s potential and expressed his excitement to see how they perform under new leadership. He did not disclose specific criteria for the next head coach but emphasized that the focus is on moving forward with the current group.
Jenkins, who held the title of the winningest coach in franchise history, faced criticism for various coaching decisions, particularly regarding player rotations and late-game strategies. Kleiman acknowledged the challenges the team has faced against strong opponents and the need to address certain areas for improvement.
The decision to part ways with Jenkins marks a significant change for the Grizzlies, who are aiming to secure a higher playoff seed in the competitive Western Conference. As the team prepares for the final stretch of the season, Kleiman remains committed to guiding them towards success and is eager to see how they respond to the coaching transition.
Morant, who has been absent for the last six games due to a left hamstring strain, is now listed as questionable for Saturday night’s Lakers game. Iisalo steps in as the new head coach, making history as the first Finnish-born coach in the NBA. He joined the Grizzlies as an assistant this season, having previously played and coached in Europe. Notably, Iisalo achieved success as the head coach of Paris Basketball in 2024, winning the EuroCup and being named the league’s coach of the year. Kleiman expressed optimism about Iisalo’s leadership, emphasizing the importance of clarity and execution given the limited time for major changes at this point in the season.
