Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins didn’t mince words when sharing his thoughts on the officiating of his team’s game against the Utah Jazz on Friday, calling the referees’ performance “atrocious.” Here’s what you need to know:
- Jenkins told reporters following a 127-121 loss to Utah that it was “one of the most poorly officiated games I’ve ever seen. I’m fine with it. Record it. F—ing atrocious.”
- Jenkins also defended forward Jaren Jackson Jr., who picked up two technical fouls and was ejected late in the third quarter after expressing his frustration at a referee. Grizzlies power forward Marcus Smart fouled out in the fourth quarter as well.
- The Jazz had 29 free-throw attempts to the Grizzlies’ 13, which Jenkins said was “basically like there was seven, and then at the end of the game a few more added.”
- The Grizzlies, who are playing without suspended star guard Ja Morant for the first 25 games, are now 1-8 to begin the season and have the worst record in the NBA.
NSFW: Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins had some choice words regarding the officiating after Memphis’ 127-121 loss to the Jazz.
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Jenkins on Jackson
“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,” Jenkins said.
“If you go watch the play, two possessions in a row he gets hacked underneath the basket. Zero free-throw attempts. I’m not trying to put a name on a jersey and, ‘This guy should earn all these fouls’ and all this stuff. Watch the game.”
What else did the coach say?
“Our team is competing their a—- off, competing their a—- off, and this is what happens? The interactions right now — with the officials — complete disrespect,” Jenkins said. “It’s unbelievable the looks on the faces when I’m trying to engage in conversation to defend our guys that are busting their tail right now.”
“In the heat of the battle, when conversations are trying to be had, notice is trying to be made on things that are happening and there’s not the enforcement of it, it blows my mind. What are we doing here?” He added. “Our guys are competing their tails off, and we gotta play better. We gotta coach better. We gotta play better, but I don’t get tonight whatsoever. Again, I’m gonna go back to the interactions. Stern, nothing. stonewall, ignoring. And then you wonder why our guys are trying to compete. I don’t get it.”
Required reading
(Photo: Patrick Smith / Getty)
