Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins was blunt and didn't hold back.

Monday was the Grizzlies' fourth game of the regular season — and it was also the fourth time their defense collapsed in the second half. In two of those games, they still were able to come away with wins, but that was not the case Monday at FedEx Forum.

The Grizzlies' 20-point lead was erased as their defense fell apart in a 126-123 loss to the Chicago Bulls.

Chicago made 25 3-pointers and shot 47.2% from deep. Memphis held the Bulls to 22 points in the first quarter, but they didn't score less than 32 points in each of the last three quarters.

"Terrible defense," Jenkins said. "Give the Bulls a lot of credit, they put us on our heels. We were atrocious defensively, and they took advantage. They had a great shooting night. They moved the ball great. We didn’t give one lick about defense, and that’s a problem for us right now."

Jenkins' disappointment in the defense started before halftime. Near the end of the first half, Jenkins and forward Santi Aldama had a long conversation, where Jenkins said he challenged Aldama to be better defensively.

Aldama was defending Bulls guard Josh Giddey, who finished the game with 13 rebounds and a team-high four offensive boards. Aldama admitted that he should have been better taking away Giddey's drives to the basket.

The moment between Jenkins and Aldama, along with Jenkins' postgame news conference, highlight the urgency. Getting stops is the key to sparking their offense, and when they are unable to, they can't play as fast, and that takes the offense out of rhythm. Aldama, Desmond Bane and Ja Morant all have spoken about how Jenkins is challenging the older players more this season because of their experience.

"Oh, yeah, I love it," Aldama said. "I mean, that's what I've had my whole life. So, you know, I like that stuff.”

Jaren Jackson Jr. minutes restriction

One player who could have helped the defense more is former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr., but he was limited. The Grizzlies are still being cautious with his minutes after a preseason hamstring injury.

Monday was his second game played, and he has been one of the team's most impactful players on each occasion. Jackson finished Monday with 19 points, six rebounds and three blocks in 24 minutes, and was a team-high plus-15.

“We’re trying to build him back up with the pace that we’re playing at," Jenkins said. "Give him short spurts."

For Jackson, the buildup is more challenging. His minutes will grow gradually, but Memphis will operate with caution.

"I really just kind of want to skip that, but you can't," Jackson said. "You got to just keep doing it."

Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins challenges defense to be better