David Fizdale started this week in the unemployment line after the Memphis Grizzlies’ management handed him his walking papers Monday. The Grizzlies are currently in a rut right now, as they are on an eight-game losing streak, a stretch that included last Sunday’s disappointing 99-88 loss at home against the Brooklyn Nets, a team even the struggling Grizzlies shouldn’t be losing to.

Fizdale made quite a controversy in that game for refusing to play Grizzlies center Marc Gasol in the fourth quarter, a decision that looked like a death wish in retrospect as it probably played a part in the Grizzlies front office opting to sack the 43-year-old mentor.

But whatever the true story was behind the firing of Fizdale, it definitely caught a lot of people by surprise. Among them is long-time San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, who had kind and encouraging words to say for Fizdale, per Tom Osborn of The San Antonio Express-News.

Article Continues Below
More NBA News
image thumbnail
Former Nets guard eyeing NBA comeback with 76ers, MavericksErik Slater ·
Stephen Curry Olympics dagger against France
Clippers’ Nic Batum drops eye-opening take on Stephen Curry’s Olympic heroicsAlex House ·
Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) drives against Xavier Musketeers forward Jerome Hunter (2) in the first half of the NCAA Tournament First Round game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Xavier Musketeers at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Friday, March 21, 2025. Xavier was eliminated from the tournament, losing 86-73, to Illinois.
3 players Utah Jazz must avoid in 2025 NBA DraftZachary Howell ·
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) shoots the ball against Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the second quarter in game one of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center.
Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton responds to Dwyane Wade reacting to his Game 1 heroicsRichard Pereira ·
Coco Gauff of the United States poses with the trophy after winning the women’s singles final against Aryna Sabalenka on day 14 at Roland Garros Stadium.
LeBron James erupts with huge reaction to Coco Gauff’s French Open winLorenzo J Reyna ·
Oklahoma Sooners guard Jeremiah Fears (0) controls the ball against Connecticut Huskies during the second half at Lenovo Center. Thomas Sorber and Joan Beringer
3 players Washington Wizards must avoid in 2025 NBA DraftZachary Howell ·

Fizdale leaves the Grizzlies with a 50-51 record as the team’s coach for almost two seasons. Before being hired by Memphis as head coach in 2016, Fizdale spent several seasons as an assistant in Miami, Atlanta, and Golden State.

J.B. Bickerstaff is set to take over Fizdale’s role for the meantime as coach of the Grizzlies, who are set to play Popovich’s Spurs this Wednesday in San Antonio.