Taylor Jenkins unleashes tirade against NBA officials: 'F***ing atrocious' / News - Basketnews.com

Taylor Jenkins passionately criticizes NBA referees, citing a badly officiated Grizzlies-Jazz game and an ejection of Jaren Jackson Jr.: "One of the most poorly officiated games I've ever seen."

Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con - Scanpix Credit USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con - Scanpix

After the Memphis Grizzlies' 127-121 loss to the Utah Jazz on Friday night, head coach Taylor Jenkins went on a heated rant against NBA officials.

Player of the Game EFF 27 Lauri Markkanen Points 26 Accuracy 8-13 Rebounds 7 Assists 1

The Grizzlies, now 1-8 on the season and 0-5 at home, faced a frustrating game with questionable officiating.

"Saddle up," Jenkins began. "One of the most poorly officiated games I've ever seen. Record it. I'm fine with it. F***ing atrocious."

Jenkins received a technical foul during the game, and Jaren Jackson Jr. was ejected after receiving two technicals with 4:30 left in the third quarter due to a no-call that both believed deserved attention from the officials. Marcus Smart also fouled out in the fourth quarter.

"He plays 23 minutes and is in the paint all night," Jenkins said of Jackson. "He's one of the most professional players in this league. He gets a double technical foul, and the excuse I get is that he's 'charging at an official.' It's called de-escalation. 29 free throws to 13. And I'm not that coach. If you go back in the history, I've done this one other time.

"Our team is competing their asses off. Competing their asses off, and this is what happens? The interactions right now with the officials -- completely disrespectful. I know what's coming. 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."

Despite the setbacks, the Grizzlies rallied after Jackson's ejection, tying the game in the fourth quarter, but the Jazz ultimately secured the win.

"If you go watch the play, two possessions in a row [Jackson] gets hacked underneath the basket, zero free-throw attempts," Jenkins said. "I'm not trying to put a name on a jersey and say that this guy should earn these fouls. Watch the game.

"And we've got stuff we can clean up. Sometimes we're grabbing or holding, but in the heat of the battle, when conversations are trying to be had, notices being made on things that are happening, and there's not enforcement of it, it blows my mind. What are we doing here?"

The Grizzlies play their next game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

Heated conference by Taylor Jenkins:

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