Memphis Grizzlies Face Rebuild After Disappointing Playoff Exit and Roster Concerns
April 28, 2025
The Thunder dominated the series, winning the first two games by a combined 70 points and overcoming a 29-point deficit in Game 3 after Ja Morant suffered a critical injury.
Overall, the Grizzlies find themselves in a precarious position, needing to reassess their approach and potentially reorganize their roster to compete against dominant teams.
The Memphis Grizzlies faced a disappointing early exit from the NBA playoffs, being swept in the first round by the Oklahoma City Thunder after finishing the season with 48 wins as the eighth seed.
Grizzlies president Zach Kleiman expressed dissatisfaction with the team's performance, emphasizing that merely reaching the playoffs is not sufficient for the franchise's aspirations.
The Grizzlies experienced a dramatic decline in performance, dropping from second place in the Western Conference to a play-in tournament spot, raising concerns about roster stability.
From February 8 to the end of the regular season, the Grizzlies recorded a dismal 1-13 against top teams, indicating deeper issues within the organization.
Morant, who missed 32 games during the season, expressed that the series could have turned in Memphis's favor had he not been injured, particularly after leading significantly in Game 3.
Reflecting on the season, guard Desmond Bane described it as tough, acknowledging the team's struggles despite being a two-time No. 2 seed in recent years.
In light of their disappointing playoff run, the franchise faces critical decisions, including whether to remove the interim tag from coach Tuomas Iisalo, who has garnered support from players.
Iisalo is being considered for the permanent head coach position, with players like Ja Morant praising his coaching abilities and connection during game discussions.
Despite the challenges, both Kleiman and Morant acknowledged the potential within the team, highlighting the talent of core players including Desmond Bane, Morant, and Jaren Jackson Jr.
The team must also navigate complicated trade scenarios involving valuable players like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant, as they seek to improve their chances moving forward.
Summary based on 4 sources
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Sources

CBSSports.com • Apr 26, 2025
The Thunder just showed the Grizzlies how far from contention they really are, and how badly change is needed
NBA.com • Apr 27, 2025
What's next for Grizzlies after 1st-round playoff exit
FOX Sports • Apr 27, 2025
After first-round round sweep, the Grizzlies now face big decisions for their future