The Memphis Grizzlies ended 2024 with arguably their most impressive win of the season, defeating the Phoenix Suns on the road without nine players. Considering the Grizzlies grinding to overcome a losing streak to the Boston Celtics in Boston earlier last month, topping a game of that magnitude seemed insurmountable.
However, of the nine players the Grizzlies were without in Phoenix, seven were an active part of their rotation this season, and one additional player will likely be a part of the rotation when he returns this season. The Suns also had Kevin Durant and Devin Booker available but the Grizzlies' offense kept rolling behind the backs of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane.
As the Grizzlies stand in second place in the Western Conference with a 23-11 record, they have an additional personnel member to make a name in an awards race.
Taylor Jenkins' odds are second for Coach of the Year
The Grizzlies head coach became the winningest head coach in the franchise's history earlier this season and is arguably performing his best coaching job in his sixth season with the team. For the second straight season, the Grizzlies have the most games missed due to injury by players, but they are more successful this time around than last season.
The Memphis Grizzlies have the most games missed due to injury this season with 155 total games missed.
— Grizzlies SZN (@Grizzlies_szn) December 30, 2024
And still sit at 2nd in the Western Conference with a 22-11 record 🔥 pic.twitter.com/AlILvE1jPs
Building the NBA's deepest team has played a factor in the Grizzlies overcoming the depletion of players. Also, Taylor Jenkins' revamping of the coaching staff during the offseason and bringing an offensive guru in Toumas Iisalo has brought them one of the league's best offensive teams.
Due to the performance of the team, Taylor Jenkins' odds to win Coach of the Year at FanDuel Sportsbooks currently sit in second place behind Cleveland Cavaliers first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson. However, he is closer in odds (+600) to the third and fourth-place coaches in Houston Rockets' Ime Udoka (+750) and Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley (+950) than he is to Kenny Atkinson (-180)
The Cavaliers have been the NBA's best team since the start of the season, so Taylor Jenkins has some catching up to do to make up the ground, but a top-two finish in the Western Conference with the numerous injuries the team has dealt with should be enough to keep the race interesting. If the Grizzlies get healthy and make a run for the West's number-one seed, Taylor Jenkins would be in a position to win the award.
The Grizzlies have the tools to compete when healthy and believe they have a coach that can handle the pressure to win when that time comes. Taylor Jenkins came into this season with some question marks, but he is answering them on a per-game basis.