Grizzlies promote Tuomas Lisalo to head coach
Shortly after the Memphis Grizzlies were swept in the first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team has found its next head coach.
Interim head coach Tuomas Lisalo has earned the position following stepping in the position after Taylor Jenkins was let go in March.
“I have full confidence in Tuomas serving as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies going forward,” general manager Zach Kleiman said in a statement via ESPN. “Tuomas’ teams at every level have been disciplined, tenacious and connected on both ends of the floor, consistently exceeding expectations. We look forward to the same in Memphis.”
Lisalo will have the task of helping elevate the Grizzlies into an NBA title contender after struggling to do so under Jenkins. In his five-year stint, Memphis reached the playoffs three times and only moved out of the first round once.
Want $250 to bet on NBA futures?
Star point guard Ja Morant has already voiced his support for Lisalo.
“I feel like Tuomas is a good coach,” Morant said in the team’s exit interviews. “For me, going into my film sessions with him and just talking about the game of basketball, seeing and hearing that he sees the same thing I see out there on the floor.
“I wouldn’t say it’s been surprising, but it’s been very exciting.”
Memphis has assembled a strong core group headlined by Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. If the Grizzlies hope to take the next step it will need Morant to truly thrive as the game-changing talent he’s shown to be throughout his career.
