Memphis Grizzlies starters Ja Morant and Cedric Coward are both expected to play on Dec. 26 against the Milwaukee Bucks, the team announced.
Morant has missed the last four games due to a left ankle sprain. Coward was out for the first time this season on Dec. 23 against the Utah Jazz because of heel soreness.
Both guards are expected to be on a minutes restriction. Coach Tuomas Iisalo said he’ll prioritize finding sub patterns that maximize their time on the floor.
For Coward, this stretch is more about making sure his load isn’t becoming too high, while with Morant, the Grizzlies are using this time to ramp him up.
“Obviously we can’t go very high minutes with (Morant),” Iisalo said. ” . . . Make sure that he can find a rhythm on the court, but at the same time that we don’t go through long stretches that he can push it to the maximum.”
Morant’s return gives the Grizzlies quality depth at point guard. Memphis can now have Morant or Cam Spencer occupy most of the minutes as the primary playmaker. Spencer has been one of the Grizzlies’ most productive players this season.
Memphis has had quality wing depth all season, but recent injuries to Vince Williams Jr. and John Konchar have put that depth to the test. The return of Coward will allow Memphis to pair its two preferred wing starters in Coward and Jaylen Wells.
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.
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