The NBA regular season is entering its final stretch. And the situation is flattering for the Memphis Grizzlies, 4th in the formidable Western Conference. With 44 wins and 29 losses, home advantage in the first round of the play-offs remains a real possibility.
But the Grizzlies have lost four of their last six games, and clearly that was enough to press the red button, as American insiders have just announced the sacking of Taylor Jenkins.
Having joined Memphis in 2019, Mike Budenholzer's former assistant has won just one playoff series in five years. But he has had to deal with a number of injuries, including the recurring injury to Ja Morant. In addition to his extra-sporting problems, the Grizzlies' star has played just 49 games over the last two seasons.
It is a surprising decision, given that only nine regular season games remain and the play-offs are approaching. We don't know who will sit on the Memphis bench, but this decision is clearly a huge surprise at a time when stability is the mother of safety. Unless it's the prelude to a major clean-up this summer in the event of another playoff failure...