Recent altercation hints at why Grizzlies may have fired Taylor Jenkins

The Memphis Grizzlies shockingly parted ways with head coach Taylor Jenkins on Friday afternoon. It was stunning as the franchise is tied for fourth in the Western Conference with 44 wins. They have just nine games to go before the playoffs, but the front office clearly felt it needed a change.

Jenkins was on the verge of his fourth playoff appearance in six years coaching Memphis. He helped them exit a rebuild from the Grit and Grind era and saw Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. transform into All-Stars under his watch. Memphis won just one playoff series, but Jenkins did well leading the franchise.

The shock may subside when seeing a recent altercation on the Grizzlies bench. This video was taken mid-game as Memphis faced the Jazz in Utah.

Taylor Jenkins may have lost the Grizzlies locker room

Jenkins had success, but the Grizzlies are on a skid. They have won just once in their last five games and tensions are bubbling in the locker room. Memphis has a shot to make a playoff run and did not feel Jenkins was the right coach for the job. This altercation may shed further light on that.

NBA teams have dust-ups, but not usually just weeks before the playoffs on a team fighting to secure homecourt in the opening round. This was surprising and could be just a glimpse of Jenkins’ struggles handling the locker room.

The front office felt like it needed a new voice. It was not totally out of left field. The Grizzlies replaced nearly the entire staff around Jenkins last summer after the franchise endured a disastrous season. Injuries were to blame, but Memphis has championship aspirations. They desire more than making the playoffs. This move would have been a certainty after a first-round playoff exit, so Zach Kleiman and company fired him now in hopes of avoiding that fate.

Jenkins will draw interest for other head coach openings. It was not long ago fans were wondering if he was the best coach in franchise history. The 40-year-old went 250-214 in his five-plus seasons leading the Grizzlies. That features two 50-plus win campaigns and soon-to-be four playoff appearances. Jenkins will land on his feet.

This was an unprecedented move by Memphis. Firing a head coach with nine games remaining in the regular season is stunning. The Grizzlies are feeling the pressure and hope this desperate move works out. If not, more changes will come. This is just the beginning, so please stay tuned.