The 2024-25 season saw the Grizzlies peak as a two seed but eventually collapse, leading to head coach Taylor Jenkins being fired just nine games before the end of the regular season. Shortly after, the Grizzlies were swept in the first round by the eventual champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite a difficult ending to last season, the Grizzlies elevated interim Tuomas Iisalo to the full-time head coaching role, and it is already looking like the wrong decision.
Tuomas Iisalo was previously known for his successful head coaching stint in Europe, leading Paris Basketball to Champions League and EuroCup titles.