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Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman said Saturday that the decision to fire coach Taylor Jenkins was "in the best interest of the team."
The timing of Jenkins' dismissal, announced Friday, came as a surprise with the Grizzlies battling for playoff position in the Western Conference. Memphis is 44-29 and beginning a key three-game homestand against the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors.
It was the short time remaining between now and the end of the season that led Kleiman to fire Jenkins, who said repeatedly that the decision was his alone. He offered very few specifics into how he came to that decision, however.
"Urgency is a core principle of ours," said Kleiman, who spoke for just over two minutes. "So, (I) decided to go on with the move."
The Grizzlies haven't acted with urgency. They were in second place in the Western Conference on Feb. 27 with a 38-20 record. Since then, they are 6-9 to dip in the standings and put a home-court advantage in a first-round playoff series in jeopardy.
Entering action Saturday, the Grizzlies and the Lakers had identical records to stand tied for fourth place in the conference. The top six are guaranteed playoff berths, with the top four rewarded with home-court advantage.
Kleiman said the team was not notified in advance and no players influenced his decision.
"I'm focused on how we operate. I'm responsible for everything. I'm responsible for coaching. I'm responsible for the roster. I'm not trying to absolve myself of anything. I'm excited to see what this team can do the rest of the way," Kleiman said. "This is the conclusion I came to that this is in the best interest of the team and we push forward with this group."
Assistant coach Tuomas Iisalo is serving as interim head coach, and Kleiman said he will watch how Iisalo can lead the team.
"There's realistic expectations. There's not going to be time to install a bunch of things this time of year," Kleiman said. "My expectations are clarity of direction and we'll see what we can do."
After this homestand, the Grizzlies will have six games remaining, including road games against teams currently in solid playoff position -- the Denver Nuggets and Detroit Pistons. Three other games are against teams battling for a play-in spot.
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Lakers Rookie's Surprising Injury Gets New Update
The Lakers wound up with just one pick in the 2025 NBA draft, and it was a second-rounder. But they were certainly busy, using trades and cash to move up from No. 55 to No. 36, where they got a lengthy and defensively promising prospect from Arkansas, Adou Theiro. There's a chance that, with his size (he's 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot wing span) and athleticism, Thiero could be ready to contribute sooner rather than later. But he was held out of summer league in both California and Las Vegas because of a knee injury--it was labeled a hyperextension--suffered in February. That was a surprise, because only a severe hyperextension would require more than a few weeks of recovery time. Thiero missed more than four months. Still, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic, there is good news on Thiero. Adou Thiero Ready for Lakers Camp? In a mailbag, Woike was asked about Thiero and wrote: "There were definitely some eyebrows raised around the NBA when Thiero missed summer league with a knee issue, but I can finally offer a little optimism. I’ve been told Thiero has been working out in the Lakers’ facility and is expected to be participating once training camp opens at the end of September. "As far as his role? It’s gonna be crowded. But it’s sort of a universal truth in the NBA. If young players want to get on the court, you do it by making an impact on the defensive end. And Thiero has the tools to make an impact on the defensive end." Indeed, that is Thiero's calling card. It had better be, seeing as he is a gun-shy shooter who made only 28.4% of his collegiate 3s. From NBA.com's scouting report: "Thiero’s ceiling will ultimately be decided by how his 3-point shot develops, but his elite athleticism and impressive length give him a solid floor as an impactful defender who can crash the glass and finish at the rim. Thiero’s game is reminiscent of Jalen Johnson and Noah Clowney coming out of college as lengthy defenders who can be used in small-ball lineups and get to the rim by cutting off-ball or running in transition."
Browns HC gives troubling Shedeur Sanders update ahead of Eagles game
On Wednesday, the Cleveland Browns learned that rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders was dealing with an oblique injury that could sideline him for Saturday's game at the Philadelphia Eagles. However, it appears Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski could keep Sanders out of action through Cleveland's preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams on Aug. 23. "He felt it early, I think, warming up, and then felt it throughout [individual drills] and we took a look at it," Stefanski told reporters on Thursday while speaking about what Sanders experienced on Wednesday, per Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "If it’s a right guard, you can play through that. When it’s a quarterback, you kind of need that muscle to throw. So unfortunately, we’re going to put him down for a little bit here. We will treat it day to day and see how he responds." Stefanski said the Browns want "to be really careful" with the Sanders injury because quarterbacks "torque and twist their body" on pass plays. Despite performing well in his preseason debut last Friday, Sanders, the 2025 fifth-round draft pick, remained fourth on Cleveland's unofficial depth chart before his setback. Kenny Pickett is still attempting to recover from the hamstring injury that kept him out of the Browns' preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 8, so veteran Joe Flacco is on track to start Cleveland's Week 1 matchup versus the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7. Meanwhile, 2025 third-round draft pick Dillon Gabriel will start against the Eagles this Saturday if it's determined his hamstring is healthy. Like Pickett, Gabriel spent the Carolina game as a spectator. "Injuries stink for all these guys," Stefanski added. "They don’t want to miss a rep for any reason. But, there’s a way to continue to prepare, continue to get better, even when you’re not getting those reps up because of injuries." Sanders seemed to have a shot at earning the QB2 gig after he completed 14-of-23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in Cleveland's 30-10 victory over Carolina. He could now enter September as Cleveland's QB4 if Browns general manager Andrew Berry is serious about carrying four quarterbacks on the active roster for the Cincinnati game.
Cubs catcher lost to horrific-looking injury on same day he returns from IL
After working to return to the Chicago Cubs' lineup following an oblique injury, Miguel Amaya suffered a gruesome-looking injury in his first game back with the Cubs on Wednesday night. Running to first base, Amaya just beat out an infield single on a slow dribbler to shortstop when his left foot landed forcefully on the base, causing his leg to buckle and sending Amaya flying down the first base line. Following the injury, Amaya was carted off the field in Toronto with a towel over his face. The emotions shown by Amaya as he was carted off indicated he knew already he would miss more time in a season that has been marred by injuries. After the game, Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed Amaya would be going back on the injured list with what was diagnosed as a left ankle sprain. X-rays, however, were negative. The 26-year-old Amaya had just told reporters after being activated from the 60-day injured list that he was thankful he was healthy. Just three at-bats later, Amaya was once again injured. Amaya's three at-bats against the Blue Jays on Wednesday represented his first game action since May 24, when he recorded just two at-bats against the Cincinnati Reds before leaving the game with an oblique injury. In just 96 at-bats this season, Amaya is slashing .281/.314/.500 with four home runs and 25 RBI. Amaya's injury is another blow for the Cubs, who have seen their lead in the National League Central evaporate as the Milwaukee Brewers have now won 12 consecutive games and are 20-4 since the All-Star break. As has been the case in Amaya's absence, Carson Kelly and Reese McGuire will continue to be the dominant presences behind the plate for the Cubs. Joining with Amaya, the duo has helped the Cubs record a 2.8 Wins Above Average (WAA) at catcher, the highest mark of any MLB team. After Amaya's injury, the Cubs would go on to post a 4-1 win over the Blue Jays.
Khalil Mack gives glowing review of Chargers' rookie offensive weapon
The Los Angeles Chargers have looked every bit like a quality team from top to bottom in their start to the preseason. The team has had impressive showings against the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints, which resulted in wins. Preseason is the time when teams get a glimpse of their younger talent, and the Chargers will be leaning on youth in the 2025 season. On Wednesday, star linebacker Khalil Mack was asked about rookie running back Omarion Hampton. Mack's comments should have every Chargers fan jumping for joy. "I don’t want to say how he’s impressed me, but I can tell. If you play football, then you know. It’s going to be fun to watch him play," said Mack. The Chargers could be leaning on Hampton a lot more than they originally hoped in his rookie season. Star offseason acquisition Najee Harris is still feeling the effects of a freak eye injury he suffered in July. However, Hampton understands the mission at hand. No one enters the NFL wanting to be a backup. Especially a first-round pick. When fully healthy, this Chargers backfield could be one of the most dangerous in the league. Now, with a veteran like Mack saying how special Hampton can be, in the words of Michael Jordan, the ceiling is the roof for this unit.
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