The Memphis Grizzlies have officially named Tuomas Lisalo as their new head coach following their early playoff exit at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Lisalo, who took over as interim head coach after the team parted ways with Taylor Jenkins in March, impressed during his brief tenure and has now earned the role full-time.
“I have full confidence in Tuomas serving as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies going forward,” said general manager Zach 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.”
Lisalo now faces the challenge of turning Memphis into a legitimate championship contender. Under Jenkins, the team made the playoffs three times over five seasons, but advanced past the first round only once.
Star guard Ja Morant has already shown his support for Lisalo’s promotion. “I feel like Tuomas is a good coach,” Morant said during exit interviews. “Going into my film sessions with him and just talking about the game, seeing and hearing that he sees the same things I see on the floor—it’s been very exciting.”
With a young and talented core led by Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies hope that Lisalo can guide them to the next level. For Memphis to reach title contention, they’ll need Morant to continue developing into the transcendent star he’s shown glimpses of becoming.
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