The Memphis Grizzlies hired Tuomas Iisalo as the franchise’s next head coach back in May after he guided the team to the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
Iisalo became the first Finnish-born head coach in NBA history.
Tuomas Iisalo Replaced Taylor Jenkins
Iisalo, 43, was originally hired by Memphis last July as the lead assistant coach following a decorated coaching career in Europe. He previously served as an assistant under Taylor Jenkins.
Iisalo replaced Jenkins as the team’s interim coach in late March. He helped Memphis reach the playoffs through the play-in tournament before it was swept in the first round by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
I asked Tuomas Iisalo about his feelings on being critiqued as the Grizzlies head coach given the circumstances so far this season.
Here’s what he said: pic.twitter.com/TUbNh1sPSq
— Damichael Cole (@DamichaelC) November 17, 2025
“I have full confidence in Tuomas serving as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies going forward,” said Grizzlies president and general manager of basketball operations Zachary Z. Kleiman.
“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.”
Ja Morant Praised Iisalo Last Season
Before joining the Grizzlies, Iisalo captured the 2023-24 EuroCup championship and EuroCup Coach of the Year award in his first season as head coach of Paris Basketball.
However, Iisalo’s success in Europe has yet to translate to the NBA level.
Last season, the Grizzlies went 4-5 (.444) under Iisalo to finish the regular season 48-34 (.585). The former Finnish player received full support then from star guard Ja Morant.
“I feel like Tuomas is a good coach,” Morant said during his end-of-season interview. “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.”
That all changed less than a month into the 2025-26 season.
Morant No Longer Wants To Play For Iisalo
Following a 117-112 home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 31 in which Morant only scored eight points in less than 31 minutes of action, Iisalo reportedly spoke with Morant about his lack of effort after the game.
In response, Morant vented his frustration over Iisalo’s decision to reduce his playing time.
“According to [the coaching staff], probably don’t play me, honestly,” Morant said during his postgame interview. “That’s basically what the message was. It’s cool.”
The Grizzlies issued Morant a one-game suspension due to conduct detrimental to the team. Morant served his suspension in a loss at Toronto on Nov. 2.
Nonetheless, the incident has since sparked trade speculation. Memphis trading Morant before the February deadline would likely guarantee Iisalo’s departure.
Grizzlies Could Finish Below .500
The Grizzlies have yet to make Morant available for a trade, but what’s to say he doesn’t pull a Jimmy Butler in the weeks ahead to force his way off the team?
It most certainly wouldn’t look good for Iisalo, and it would make his job even more difficult in the process.
ESPN’s NBA Basketball Power Index projects the Grizzlies to finish 36-45 (.444) this season. Memphis is currently 6-11 (.353) and ranks 10th in the West.
The Grizzlies won as many as 56 games in 2021-22 under Jenkins.
Injuries are one thing, but drama over coaching decisions and leadership can be much worse for a team. This stuff never ends well for any club involved.
