Grizzlies fire David Fizdale, name JB Bickerstaff interim coach

5:01 PM ET

Adrian WojnarowskiESPN

Memphis fired coach David Fizdale on Monday afternoon after the Grizzlies dropped to 7-12 in his second season.

Associate head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who was 37-34 as an interim coach with the Rockets in 2015-16, has been promoted to interim head coach.

"After a thorough evaluation, I decided a change in course was necessary to move forward and provide the team and organization its best chance at success this season and beyond," general manager Chris Wallace said in a statement. "Coach Fizdale represented the Grizzlies and City of Memphis proudly, and we wish him well as he continues his career."

Fizdale is owed $3 million for the 2018-19 season on his contract, league sources said. The Grizzlies possessed a team option for the 2019-20 season, the final of his original four year contract.

The Grizzlies are on an eight-game losing streak and Fizdale's tepid relationship with All-Star center Marc Gasol reached a low point with Gasol's fourth-quarter benching in a loss to Brooklyn on Sunday night.

The Grizzlies advanced to the Western Conference playoffs a year ago under Fizdale, going 43-39 in the regular season.

The Grizzlies have scheduled a news conference with Bickerstaff for Tuesday at 10 a.m.

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