The Memphis Grizzlies are hosting LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers at the FedEx Forum this Saturday night. This will be the fourth and final meeting of the regular season between the two teams.

Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman said the decision to fire coach Taylor Jenkins was made without talking with players. "The players were not consulted on this decision," Kleiman told reporters on Saturday, a day after the Grizzlies fired Jenkins. "This decision is mine and mine only."

With just nine games left before the playoffs start, here is some insight as to why the Memphis Grizzlies decided to let go of Taylor Jenkins now.

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

Jenkins, the winningest coach in franchise history, has led Memphis to the postseason three times since the 2019-20 season

The Memphis Grizzlies fired former coach Taylor Jenkins, despite the team approaching 50 victories with nine games left in the regular season.

The Grizzlies battled through injuries to have a bounce-back season and are currently the No. 5 seed in the West.

The Lakers currently own the No. 4 seed, but they are just 3.5 games behind the Houston Rockets for the No. 2 seed. If all goes right for them, the Lakers might be able to make a big jump in the standings, which could bode well for them in the playoffs.