Tuomas Iisalo Navigates New Role as Grizzlies’ Interim Coach While Morant Nears Return
In the fast-paced world of the NBA, change can come in an instant. That’s exactly what happened with the Memphis Grizzlies, who recently handed the interim head coaching role to Tuomas Iisalo with just nine games left before the postseason. The team now finds itself navigating a pivotal stretch of the regular season under new leadership, with only four games remaining before the playoffs begin. The first of those four is set to tip off Tuesday night against the Charlotte Hornets.
For Iisalo, a Finnish coach with a solid track record in European basketball, this transition to the NBA’s top coaching position represents both an exciting opportunity and a massive challenge. Although his coaching résumé overseas is impressive, the NBA presents a unique environment, especially when the job lands in your lap just weeks before the postseason.
Reflecting on the shift, Iisalo admitted that the responsibilities as head coach are a major step up from his previous role as an assistant. Speaking to reporters during practice on Monday, he lightheartedly noted, “There’s certainly a lot more media duties now.” He added that while assistants are free to make suggestions, the pressure and accountability shift dramatically once you’re the one making the final decisions. “When you’re the head coach, it’s your name and your skin in the game.”
Iisalo’s tenure began with one of the toughest portions of the Grizzlies’ schedule. The team dropped three straight home games to Western Conference powerhouses—the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and Golden State Warriors. Despite the rocky start, the Grizzlies rebounded impressively with two road victories against the Miami Heat and the Detroit Pistons.
Interestingly, it wasn’t until after those first five games that Iisalo had the opportunity to run a full practice with his squad. Due to the condensed NBA schedule and the looming playoffs, his ability to implement significant changes has been limited. But Iisalo emphasized that continuity is key this late in the season.
“In Europe, if there’s a coaching change, you usually get a couple of days to install new systems and make adjustments,” Iisalo said. “We didn’t have that luxury here. Fortunately, the core of our team and structure is already in place. We’ve said from the beginning: no major changes—just small tweaks.”
One of the most apparent shifts under Iisalo’s leadership has been the increased utilization of rookie center Zach Edey. Since Iisalo took over, Edey has recorded double-digit rebounds in four of five games, including a franchise rookie record of 21 rebounds against the Pistons. Prior to that, Edey had only achieved that mark 14 times all season.
Edey’s playing time has also seen a notable uptick. His average minutes have jumped from 20.8 throughout the season to 29.7 in the three games played so far in April. That boost in minutes also includes critical playing time in late-game situations. For example, in the matchup against the Pistons, Edey closed out the game in the absence of Detroit’s star big man Jalen Duren.
Edey himself acknowledged the subtle changes that have impacted his play. “We’re setting more ball screens now,” he explained. “On defense, there are a few philosophical differences, but it’s the same team and same group of guys. Just a few little changes here and there.”
As the Grizzlies gear up for their game against the Hornets, they may also get a significant boost with the expected return of Ja Morant. Morant, the team’s All-Star guard, missed the previous game due to a bout of food poisoning. However, according to Iisalo, Morant is on the mend and should be ready to return to the lineup Tuesday night.
“He’s doing great,” Iisalo reported. “Thankfully, he’s already feeling much better, and that’s a relief for everyone. It was just unfortunate timing, missing a game like that, but our team really came together and stepped up in his absence. We’re definitely excited to have him back.”
With only a handful of games left before the playoffs, every possession, every adjustment, and every game carries increased significance. For Iisalo, the job is about guiding the Grizzlies through this high-pressure stretch while making just enough refinements to enhance the team’s performance without overhauling what has already been built.
The game against the Hornets will tip off at 6 p.m. Central Time at the Spectrum Center. With Morant’s expected return and Iisalo settling into his role, Memphis fans will be watching closely to see how the team responds under its new leadership during this crucial final push.
