There is a new man calling the shots from the sidelines for the Memphis Grizzlies. Following the shocking firing of Taylor Jenkins last Friday, the Grizzlies gave former assistant Tuomas Iisalo the interim head coach title, as the team looks to finish the 2024-25 NBA regular season strong and make noise in the upcoming 2025 NBA Playoffs.
However, Iisalo failed in his first test in his new role, as the Grizzlies suffered a 134-127 loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers at home on Saturday night. It was Memphis’ second loss in a row and fifth in its last six outings.
After the Lakers game, Iisalo told the media during the postgame press conference that the Grizzlies need to “get better, as they “know time is of the essence,” (h/t Grind City Media).
Memphis Grizzles lose in first game since Taylor Jenkins firing
The Grizzlies did not play horribly in the loss to the Lakers, but they still ended up getting outplayed by the other side.
Memphis shot 52.6 percent from the field and hit 14 of its 32 attempts from behind the arc. The Grizzlies also dominated the paint on offense, scoring 64 points in the shaded area to just 38 by the Lakers.
But they could have done much better defending the Lakers out in the perimeter, as LA went 19-for-43 from the 3-point region. Memphis also did a subpar job at the free-throw line, where the Grizzlies went just 13-for-18.
The 44-30 Memphis will look to bounce back and win its first game under Iisalo when the team takes on the defending NBA champions Boston Celtics this Monday.
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