Before head coach Taylor Jenkins was fired by the Memphis Grizzlies, he answered questions from the media, one particularly concerning Ja Morant.

Morant, who has missed six straight games, has been dealing with an injured hamstring.

The good news is that he has made “great progress” and is considered day-to-day.

“Last two weeks, he’s made a lot of great progress,” said Jenkins. “And he’s working his tail off to get back out there.”

This season, Morant has appeared in 43 games this season. The 25-year-old is averaging 22.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game.

In a surprising turn of events, the Memphis Grizzlies have made the decision Friday morning to fire head coach Taylor Jenkins.

Jenkins, who has coached this team for six seasons, had a record of 464-250 (.539). Despite the numerous injuries and hurdles, Memphis was on pace to win 50 games this season.

The Grizzlies, before firing their head coach, held the fifth seed in the Western Conference. They have a record of 44-29, tying them for fourth with the Los Angeles Lakers. Plus, only being a game and a half out of third.

“I’m genuinely appreciative of Taylor’s contributions to this team and this city over the past six seasons,” said Grizzlies President and GM of Basketball Operations Zach Kleiman. “This was a difficult decision, given the consistent and tangible development of our players and overall success under Taylor’s leadership. I wish Taylor the very best going forward.”

There are nine games left in the regular season. Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, assistant Tuomas Iisalo has been named the interim head coach.

Despite the Chicago Bulls putting him on the trade block and trading away both Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic remains committed to the Chicago Bulls. The veteran big man wants to finish out his contract.

After this season, the 34-year-old has one year remaining on his three-year, $60 million deal. In 2025-26, fans would see him getting paid $21.4 million. Once his contract is up, Vucevic will be an unrestricted free agent.

Per the man himself, he isn’t thinking about money or what’s happening with his future, as he just wants to play with the guys currently on the team and win games.

“Who knows what happens in the summer, but right now I’m focused on this group of guys,” Vucevic said. “I’ve really enjoyed playing with them. Guys with good character, guys that really want to win, they care. We play for each other, we compete, and that’s what you want.”

Vucevic has a strong mindset and outlook when it comes to front offices making the moves they make and how to respond as players.

“It’s just the way it is in this league. You can’t dwell over what happens. Teams make decisions, front offices, and that’s their decision. We as players, we focus on what we can do to become the best versions of ourselves,” Vucevic said.

The talented stretch-big is averaging 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. Vucevic has appeared in 64 games this season.

When the deadline was here, multiple teams, such as the Golden State Warriors, had reported interest in Chicago’s big man. However, no deal physically materialized and he remains with the Bulls.