Memphis Coach Fined For Criticism Of Officiating After Loss To Jazz
Nov 12, 2023, 12:36 PM | Updated: Nov 13, 2023, 3:31 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Sunday, two days after he publicly criticized officiating following his team’s loss to Utah.
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Utah took 29 foul shots in that game, while Memphis took 13. The Jazz won 127-121, in a contest where Memphis center Jaren Jackson Jr. was ejected in the third quarter after getting two technical fouls, and Jenkins got a technical in that same sequence as well.
“Saddle up. One of the most poorly officiated games I’ve ever seen,” Jenkins said after that game. “Record it. I’m fine with it. (Expletive) atrocious.”
Memphis was taking an NBA-worst 1-8 record into its game Sunday afternoon against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Jenkins’ Epic Rant Against Refs After Jazz Loss
Jenkins went on an epic, expletive-laced rant against NBA officials after his team’s loss to the Jazz.
The Grizzlies fell to the Jazz 127-121 falling to 1-8 on the season including 0-5 at home.
After the @utahjazz beat the @memgrizz, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins went on a profanity-laced tirade against the game's officials.
"Saddle up!"#takenote https://t.co/E4sbeRye6O
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 11, 2023
Jenkins’ language has been censored for readers of this article.
RELATED: Jazz Win First Road Game In Memphis
Jenkins Furious At Refs After Grizzlies Loss
After losing for the eighth time in nine games, Jenkins told media members to “saddle up” and he prepared to unload on the game’s refs.
“One of the most poorly officiated games I’ve ever seen,” Jenkins opened. “Record it — I’m fine with it. ******** atrocious. [Jaren Jackson Jr.] plays 23 minutes and is in the paint all night. He’s one of the most professional players in this league, and gets a double technical foul, and the excuse I get is that he’s charging at an official. It’s called de-escalation.”
Jackson Jr. was ejected with just under five minutes left to play in the third quarter after officials missed a call that should have put him at the free-throw line on a made layup.
Frustrated with the non-calls, JJJ picks up two techs. pic.twitter.com/xe9LFkUJtL
— Bally Sports: Grizzlies (@GrizzOnBally) November 11, 2023
“Jaren Jackson’s one of the most professional guys and if you go watch the play, two possessions in a row he gets hacked underneath the basket — zero free throw attempts,” Jenkins added. “I’m not trying to put a name on a jersey, this guy should earn these fouls.
The Grizzlies coach was also dismayed at the free-throw discrepancy as the Jazz earned 29 attempts to the Grizzlies 13.
“Twenty-nine free throws to 13, and I’m not that coach, you go back in history — I’ve done this one other time,” Jenkins said of blaming the refs. “Our team is competing their ***** off — competing their ***** off — and this is what happens?
Jenkins will now almost certainly face a hefty fine from the NBA for publicly criticizing the officials after the game. The Grizzlies coach was fined $15,000 in April of 2022 after a Game 4 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the postseason.
