Grizzlies, fifth in West, fire head coach Jenkins

NBA HIGHLIGHTS

The Grizzlies fired head coach Taylor Jenkins, who was in his sixth season as the franchise’s winningest coach. Rob Gray / ap

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The Associated Press

The Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor Jenkins, their winningest coach, on Friday with the team struggling down the stretch and at risk of losing home-court advantage for the postseason.

Still sitting at No. 5 in the Western Conference standings, the Grizzlies decided to dump Jenkins anyway without immediately announcing an interim coach.

Jenkins led the Grizzlies for six seasons. He was let go with the team on the verge of playing three home games in a four-day span starting today — first the Lakers, then Boston on Monday, then Golden State on Tuesday.

That starts a stretch where eight of Memphis’ final nine opponents are either playoff clubs or contending for a play-in spot. But it’s still possible, at least mathematically, that Memphis could get back to No. 2 in the West, and it’s highly unlikely that the Grizzlies will fall into the play-in tournament range.

Still, Memphis decided it was time for a change.

“This was a difficult decision, given the consistent and tangible development of our players and overall success under Taylor’s leadership,” Zach Kleiman, the Grizzlies’ president and general manager of basketball operations, said in a statement.

The Grizzlies did not practice Friday and announced no media availability.

Warriors 111, Pelicans 95: Stephen Curry scored 23 points in his return from a two-game absence and Golden State won at New Orleans. Coming back from a March 20 pelvic bruise, Curry played 34 minutes and made just 7 of 21 shots, but also hit five 3-pointers.

Nuggets 129, Jazz 93: Nikola Jokic had 27 points and 14 rebounds before sitting the fourth quarter and Denver beat Utah to pad its lead in the fight for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. Denver leads the Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies by two games

Knicks 116, Bucks 107: OG Anunoby scored 20 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter and New York won at Milwaukee to hand the Bucks their third consecutive loss.

Timberwolves 124, Suns 109: Julius Randle scored 25 points, Anthony Edwards finished with 20 after missing the second quarter due to injury and Minnesota beat visiting Phoenix.

Raptors 108, Hornets 97: Jakob Poeltl had 24 points and 12 rebounds to lead Toronto to its third straight win. Mark Williams had 18 points, 12 rebounds and five assists as Charlotte lost its fourth straight game.