Grizzlies' Cedric Coward: Delivers another strong performance
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Coward finished with 17 points (5-12 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 10 rebounds, five assists and two blocks across 30 minutes in Friday's 97-96 Summer League victory over Chicago.
Coward appeared in 62 regular-season games as a rookie in 2025-26, averaging 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.4 blocks and 0.6 steals over 25.8 minutes per contest. Since he also played in the Salt Lake City Summer League, it's unclear how much more action he will see during his time in Las Vegas. However, even if the 22-year-old doesn't suit up again this summer, he's already expected to hold a prominent role for a Grizzlies team that no longer has Ja Morant on the roster.
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Grizzlies' Cedric Coward: Resting Tuesday
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Coward (rest) has been ruled out for Tuesday's Salt Lake City Summer League game against the Hawks, Michael Wallace of the Grizzlies' official site reports.
Coward won't suit up for the Grizzlies' final game in Salt Lake City this summer. However, the 22-year-old swingman is expected to return when the Grizzlies open the Las Vegas Summer League against the Bulls on Friday.
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Grizzlies' Cedric Coward: Leads team in scoring in SL
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Coward logged 23 points (9-21 FG, 3-12 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three blocks, one rebound, one assist and a steal in 28 minutes during Monday's 109-100 Utah Summer League loss to the Jazz.
Coward was aggressive on the offensive end Monday, getting up a game-high 21 shots en route to a game-high 23 points. In addition to scoring, Coward produced on the defensive end, recording three blocks and a steal. Through two games in Summer League, he has averaged 17.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.0 steals in 26.5 minutes per contest.
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Grizzlies' Cedric Coward: Pulls down eight rebounds in win
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Coward (back) totaled 11 points (3-13 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, one steal and two blocks across 25 minutes during Saturday's 111-74 Summer League win over the Thunder.
Coward missed the final two games of the 2025-26 season with a minor back issue, but suiting up for an exhibition game in Salt Lake City indicates he's fully recovered. Coward couldn't find his footing offensively Saturday, but he did a nice job on defense and attacking the glass. He'll look to bounce back with a more productive offensive outing in Monday's matchup with the Jazz.
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Grizzlies' Cedric Coward: Role change incoming?
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Coward (back) could potentially have more competition for touches with the Grizzlies selecting Cameron Boozer with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The second-year pro could spend more time on the wings and in the backcourt after the Grizzlies added considerable frontcourt talent. In addition to Boozer, Memphis also selected forward Karim Lopez in the first round. The Grizzlies' depth may slightly limit his usage, though Coward still offers intriguing long-term upside.
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Grizzlies' Cedric Coward: Ruled out for Friday
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Coward (back) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Jazz.
Coward will be held out of Friday's contest due to lower-back soreness. The rookie first-rounder's last chance to suit up this season will come Sunday in Houston. With Coward joining a plethora of Memphis players on the inactive list, Adama Bal and Jahmai Mashack should see increased burn.
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Grizzlies' Cedric Coward: Scores 27 in loss to Denver
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Coward chipped in 27 points (10-17 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 4-5 FT), six rebounds, two assists and one steal over 22 minutes during Wednesday's 136-119 loss to the Nuggets.
Coward has been one of the few bright spots in what has been a lost season for the Grizzlies. The rookie posted his first game with more than 25 points since he scored 28 against the 76ers on Dec. 30. Coward has been consistent overall and has scored in double digits in all but one of his last 10 appearances, a stretch in which he's averaging 15.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
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Grizzlies' Cedric Coward: Removed from injury report
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Coward (back) is available for Monday's game against Cleveland.
After resting Sunday, Coward is ready to play in the second half of this back-to-back set. Across his last six appearances, the rookie first-rounder has averaged 13.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.2 steals in 26.0 minutes per game.
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Grizzlies' Cedric Coward: Ruled out for Sunday
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Coward (back) won't play Sunday in Milwaukee.
Coward will receive a maintenance day on the front end of a back-to-back set to rest his ailing back, which could result in a spot-start for Rayan Rupert. For now, Coward should be considered questionable for Monday's meeting with the Cavs.
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Grizzlies' Cedric Coward: Doubtful for Sunday
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Coward (back) is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Bucks.
With Sunday's game being the front end of a back-to-back set, the Grizzlies are leaning towards a maintenance day. With the way the team has handled rotations in recent weeks, it's not a lock that Coward plays the second leg either.
Coward contributed 24 points (10-19 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT), nine rebounds, four assists and four steals across 24 minutes during Saturday's 125-124 victory over Chicago.
Coward delivered on both ends of the floor, recording a career-high four steals while also scoring at least 20 points for just the sixth time. Although his playing time continues to be slightly underwhelming, he has now suited up in three straight games. The fact that a missed game could be just around the corner is worrying, but for now, he should be held in most leagues.
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Grizzlies' Cedric Coward: Limited to 12 points
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Coward (personal) totaled 12 points (5-10 FG, 2-6 3Pt), four assists and one rebound across 27 minutes during Wednesday's 123-98 loss to the Spurs.
Making his return from a three-game absence due to a personal issue, Coward saw his most minutes since Feb. 2, as the Grizzlies have been gradually ramping him back up after he had previously been sidelined for about three weeks while recovering from a right knee sprain. Coward has scored in double figures in six of his seven appearances since the beginning of March, averaging 13.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 triples per game in that span.
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Grizzlies' Cedric Coward: Ruled out for Monday
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Coward (personal) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Hawks.
Coward will miss a third consecutive contest for personal reasons, and his next opportunity to play will come Wednesday against the Spurs. With the rookie first-rounder remaining sidelined, Javon Small, Walter Clayton and DeJon Jarreau are candidates to see increased minutes.
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Grizzlies' Cedric Coward: Missing Saturday's game
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Coward (personal) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Charlotte.
Coward will miss both games of the Grizzlies' back-to-back set while attending to a personal matter, and his next opportunity to play is Monday against the Hawks. Javon Small figures to stay in Memphis' starting lineup due to Coward's absence.
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Grizzlies' Cedric Coward: Won't play Friday
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Coward is out for Friday's game versus Boston due to personal reasons, Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe reports.
Coward was a late addition to the injury report Friday, and he'll need to step away from the team for at least one contest. The rookie swingman faces a quick turnaround if he wants to rejoin the Grizzlies on Saturday, when they take on the Hornets in Charlotte. His absence Friday vacates a spot in the starting lineup likely for either Walter Clayton or Javon Small to fill.
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Grizzlies' Cedric Coward: Questionable for Friday
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Coward is questionable to play Friday versus the Celtics due to personal reasons.
If Coward sits out Friday's game, Rayan Rupert could get a start and there would be more minutes available for Walter Clayton. Check back for official word on Coward closer to tipoff.
Coward recorded 15 points (4-12 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 7-7 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and one steal in 25 minutes during Wednesday's 125-118 win over the Nuggets.
Coward needed 12 shots to score 15 points and missed all four of his three-pointers, but he still delivered a decent stat line. This was the fourth time in six appearances in which Coward scored at least 15 points. The rookie out of Washington State has been limited to just six outings since the All-Star break due to a knee injury. While his availability needs to be checked regularly, he's proven to be consistent when available. He's averaging 13.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in those six outings.
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Grizzlies' Cedric Coward: Ruled out for Thursday
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Coward (knee) won't play Thursday against the Mavs.
Coward will sit out Thursday's game, with it being the first of a back-to-back set, but he should return for Friday's meeting with the Pistons. With Coward unavailable, Jahmai Mashack, Javon Small and Rayan Rupert should see an uptick in minutes.
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Grizzlies' Cedric Coward: Doubtful for Thursday
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Coward is listed as doubtful for Thursday's game against Dallas due to right knee injury management.
Coward is likely to be held out of the opening leg of the Grizzlies' back-to-back set for rest purposes. With several of Coward's teammates also listed as out or doubtful, Memphis could be forced to lean on Javon Small, Cam Spencer (back), Jahmai Mashack and Rayan Rupert in the backcourt.
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Grizzlies' Cedric Coward: Double-doubles in return
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Coward logged 13 points (4-8 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 16 rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal over 24 minutes during the Grizzlies' 139-129 loss to the 76ers on Tuesday.
Coward was back in action Tuesday after missing Monday's loss to the Nets due to a lingering knee injury. He was moved back into the starting lineup and made an impact on the boards, tying a career high in rebounds (including seven on offense). Coward will continue to have his minutes monitored while managing his knee injury, but he's been productive even with limited run time.
