Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins has reached 200 wins. Here are five memorable ones
The Memphis Grizzlies snapped a five-game losing streak Monday night by defeating the Brooklyn Nets 106-102. In the process, fifth-year coach Taylor Jenkins secured his 200th career victory.
Jenkins has led the Grizzlies — excluding this season's nightmare — to one of their best stretches of basketball in franchise history. They increased their number of wins through each of his first three years, have won two division titles and back-to-back No. 2 seeds in the Western Conference playoffs.
There are 20 games left in the regular season, but he likely won't catch Lionel Hollins for the franchise’s all-time wins record (214) until next season.
Here are five of the most notable wins in Jenkins’ tenure as the Grizzlies' coach.
2021 play-in win vs. Golden State Warriors
May 21, 2021: This game was a tone setter and a look at what was to come. Memphis was not expected to beat the Steph Curry-led Golden State Warriors, but Ja Morant put on a show with 35 points to clinch the Grizzlies’ playoff berth in the play-in tournament.
Not only did the Grizzlies beat Golden State, but they defeated the San Antonio Spurs two days prior. Taking down a squad coached by Gregg Popovich and a team coming off four championship appearances wasn’t too shabby.
NBA-record 73-point win vs. OKC Thunder
Dec. 2, 2021: This game doesn’t stand out as some major playoff victory or a big win over a noted rival. The Grizzlies’ 152-79 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder was pure dominance and set the NBA record for largest margin of victory.
Considering Memphis did it without Morant, who was injured, Jenkins deserves credit for having so many players ready to go. Tyus Jones was essentially a second starting point guard for the Grizzlies, and nine players scored in double figures, led by Jaren Jackson Jr., who had 27.
Upsetting top-seeded Phoenix Suns
April 1, 2022: This game was meaningless in terms of standings, but it’s the perfect embodiment of what the Grizzlies have become under Jenkins. Without four starters, Memphis defeated the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns 122-114.
Ball movement and havoc-wreaking defense are two of the biggest emphasis under Jenkins. The Grizzlies had 30 assists and forced 17 turnovers against the heavily favored Suns (62-15 at the time). Jones and Morant both were injured, so Memphis put together that performance without its top two point guards.
2022 first-round series, Game 6 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
April 30, 2022: This game resulted in the first and only playoff series win under Jenkins. The Grizzlies trailed by 10 points entering the fourth quarter before they outscored the Timberwolves 40-22 to pull off the road win and eliminate them in six games.
The Timberwolves challenged Jenkins all series and forced him to make tough decisions. He benched starting center Steven Adams because of his struggles with the matchup, and he adjusted well to Minnesota's swarming defense, which was limiting Morant's scoring.
2022 Western Conference semifinals, Game 2 vs. Golden State Warriors
May 4, 2022: A rivalry was budding between these teams. After Golden State shocked the Grizzlies by winning Game 1, Memphis was on the ropes. Desmond Bane was hobbled by a back injury and Dillon Brooks was ejected from the game. Jenkins pushed the right buttons to get the Grizzlies going, and Morant scored 47 points.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies' Taylor Jenkins has 200 wins. Here are 5 of note
