Ja Morant Breaks Silence on Taylor Jenkins Firing After Lakers Game

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant got honest about the firing of Taylor Jenkins after facing the Los Angeles Lakers

Caleb Sisk | Mar 30, 2025

Mar 29, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts after a basket during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images / Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

In this story:

The Memphis Grizzlies have had issues competing with the top teams in the NBA for multiple years, despite showing a lot of flashes at times. While many are to blame, it quickly became easy for fans to put it on head coach Taylor Jenkins.

Following the Oklahoma City Thunder loss, the Grizzlies ultimately decided to part ways with Jenkins, who had coached them for six seasons. Many people had the opportunity to react to the news, which shocked the majority of everyone, and the media finally got answers from star guard Ja Morant after the Grizzlies lost to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday.

“I was in the bed," Morant said. "My people called and they was like ‘did you see the internet’, I thought somebody said something about me again. I seen it and I was shocked, I texted (Jaren Jackson Jr.) and that’s all.”

Mar 5, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins talks with guard Ja Morant (12) during the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images / Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Morant has spent his full Grizzlies career under Jenkins and went into more detail on how tough it is on him.

“I mean it’s tough for me, you know I had Coach Taylor since I got here," Morant said. "Everything I’ve done in a Grizzlies jersey has pretty much been under him, so that’s always tough. It’s my first time really experiencing a coach leaving since I’ve really been hooping so, it was a lot to process, but with the timing, it’s just tough.

"We had to quickly turn the page to the Lakers, and you know that’s just the tough part and business part of the NBA.”

Ja Morant called Taylor Jenkins firing tough and his first time really experiencing the business side of the NBA

"I've had Coach Taylor since I got here. Everything I've done in a Grizzlies jersey pretty much been under him." pic.twitter.com/Aoy5lC9nui
— Avery Braxton (@Brax_Avery) March 30, 2025