Tuomas Iisalo's Rocky Start in Memphis: Injuries, Blown Leads, and a Crucial Development Window
Tuomas Iisalo’s first year at the helm in Memphis hasn’t exactly gone according to plan. The Grizzlies sit at 20-33, and while injuries have played a major role in that record, coaching decisions have also come under the microscope.
It’s been a tough initiation for Iisalo into the NBA, and the Memphis fanbase is already growing restless. But the story of his tenure is still being written - and the next chapter will hinge on how well he can develop the Grizzlies’ young core.
A Season Undone by Injuries - But Not Just That
Coming into the 2025-26 season, there was cautious optimism that Memphis could return to playoff contention once the roster was back to full strength. That never materialized.
Injuries hit hard and often. Ja Morant, Zach Edey, Brandon Clarke, Ty Jerome - all missed significant time.
And when you're running a system that leans heavily on the pick-and-roll, losing your ball handlers and bigs is a recipe for dysfunction.
But while the injury bug has been relentless, it doesn’t tell the full story. Memphis has led the league in blown double-digit leads - 17 of them.
They’ve also coughed up 16 fourth-quarter leads, tied with New Orleans for the most in the NBA. That’s not just about who's missing from the lineup - that’s about how the game is being managed from the bench.
Timeout usage, substitution patterns, and a reluctance to ride hot lineups have all been recurring issues. Even when the Grizzlies were still featuring Jaren Jackson Jr. before the trade deadline, their top players often logged fewer minutes than their counterparts on opposing teams. Momentum has been disrupted by questionable rotations, and it’s cost Memphis games they had within reach.
The Jaren Jackson Jr. Trade: A Turning Point
The decision to move Jaren Jackson Jr. was a clear signal that Memphis was pivoting. At well below .500, the front office opted to retool rather than chase a late-season surge. We’ll never know what this team could’ve looked like at full health, but the trade underscored the reality: this isn’t a playoff push - it’s a development year.
That shift puts even more pressure on Iisalo to show he can build something with what’s left.
Development Will Define Iisalo’s Future
Here’s where the opportunity lies for Iisalo. With a roster now loaded with young, unproven talent, he has a chance to make his mark as a developmental coach.
And to his credit, he’s already had a hand in the growth of GG Jackson II and Zach Edey. Both players have shown promising flashes, and their continued progress will be closely tied to Iisalo’s future in Memphis.
Beyond those two, there’s a long list of names who could benefit from real minutes and real coaching: Taylor Hendricks, Walter Clayton Jr., Jaylen Wells, Cedric Coward. The Grizzlies have a treasure chest of future assets, but if they want to accelerate the rebuild, they’ll need to squeeze every ounce of potential out of this current group.
That’s where Iisalo has to prove himself. Can he be the kind of coach who develops talent, builds habits, and gets the most out of a young, injury-riddled roster?
Because in today’s NBA, that’s a valuable skill set - just look at what coaches like Mark Daigneault and Joe Mazzulla have done under similar circumstances. They’ve thrived by developing players and adapting on the fly, even when the roster wasn’t ideal.
A Pivotal Stretch Ahead
Given the injuries and the major roster shakeup at the trade deadline, it’s unlikely Memphis makes another dramatic move and parts ways with Iisalo after just one season. But that doesn’t mean the pressure’s off. This final stretch of the season could be critical in shaping how the front office views his long-term fit.
Wins may be hard to come by, but progress doesn’t always show up in the standings. If Iisalo can instill a clear identity, maximize the young talent, and show that he can manage games more effectively, he’ll give himself a real shot at sticking around - and perhaps even thriving - in Memphis.
The clock’s not out yet. But the next few months will say a lot about whether Tuomas Iisalo is the right coach to lead this next era of Grizzlies basketball.