Cedric Coward had the ball in his hands with the game on the line.
The Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls were tied at 120 with less than 20 seconds to go on March 28 at FedExForum, and Coward had the smaller Tre Jones on him as he posted up near the elbow. Knowing Coward had an advantage on Jones, Bulls forward Isaac Okoro drifted off Walter Clayton Jr. and came to double Coward.
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Coward made the right play, finding Clayton for a 3-pointer that gave the Grizzlies a lead they’d never relinquish en route to a 125-124 win.
“I’m comfortable in the post,” Coward said after the game. “I work on that in pregame, I’ve done that for most of my college career. I’m comfortable there. And especially against a mismatch like that, to be able to get it and just make the right play. It wasn’t going to be me scoring. I was just reading the defense, seeing what they gave me and what they did was give me the easy pass to Walt.”
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Mar 7, 2026; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Mar 7, 2026; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Jan 26, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) blocks a shot from Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward (23) shoot the ball as Hawks’ Luke Kennard (4) guards him during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks at FedExForum on January 21, 2026.
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Jan 11, 2026; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Grizzlies’ Ja Morant (12) and Cedric Coward (23) high five in a timeout during the game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on December 26, 2025.
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Memphis Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward (23) reacts after making a shot against the Utah Jazz during a game on Dec. 12, 2025 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Memphis Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward (23) attempts a lay up against the Utah Jazz during a game on Dec. 12, 2025 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Dec 7, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) dunks during the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Dec 7, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) drives to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) defends during the second quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Dec 5, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) drives to the basket between Los Angeles Clippers forward John Collins (20) and guard Kris Dunn (8) during the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Nov 30, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Cedric Coward (23) after a play agains the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Nov 30, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Cedric Coward (23) drives in against Sacramento Kings forward/center Drew Eubanks (19) during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Nov 26, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) reacts after drawing a foul in overtime against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Nov 24, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) dribbles as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) and forward Cameron Johnson (23) defend during the third quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Nov 24, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) passes the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson (8) defends during the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Nov 15, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) loses the ball beside Cleveland Cavaliers forward De’Andre Hunter (12) in the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Nov 12, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) drives between Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7), forward Sam Hauser (30) and center Luka Garza (52) during the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Nov 9, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Brooks Barnhizer (23) defends during the third quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Nov 7, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) shoots the ball against Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) during the second quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward (23) drives to the basket as Rockets’ Alperen Sengun (28) guards him during the game between the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on November 5, 2025.
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Rockets’ Kevin Durant (7) drives to the basket as Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward (23) guards him during the game between the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on November 5, 2025.
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward (23) passes the ball during the game between the Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on November 3, 2025.
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Nov 2, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) controls the ball as Toronto Raptors guard Gradey Dick (1) tries to defend during the third quarter at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Nov 2, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) controls the ball as Toronto Raptors guard Ja’Kobe Walter (14) tries to defend during the second quarter at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Memphis Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward (23) looks to make a play against the Los Angeles Lakers during a game on Oct. 31, 2025 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Memphis Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward (23) attempts a shot against the Los Angeles Lakers’ Deandre Ayton (5) during a game on Oct. 31, 2025 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Cedric Coward arrives before the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Cedric Coward stands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the 11th pick by the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Coward’s development has been a rare positive story this season for the Grizzlies (25-49), who are headed for the NBA draft lottery after making the playoffs a year ago. They have dealt with an injury crisis that meant they played the game against the Bulls with three players on 10-day contracts and had 11 players out with injury.
All those absences have meant more opportunities for players like Coward, though. And that meant an opportunity to run the Grizzlies’ offense through him at a critical moment in the game, something that likely wouldn’t happen if everyone was healthy.
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It has given coach Tuomas Iisalo a chance to see a side of Coward he hadn’t seen earlier in the season when he was coming off the bench and wasn’t the focal point of the Grizzlies’ offense or opposing scouting reports.
“Just like everybody else in this league, you do something early on and then you get on the scouting report of the other team,” Iisalo said. “And right now, when you look at our roster, he’s a featured guy and teams may put a lot more emphasis on stopping him. And I think he’s done a great job letting the game come to him.”
Coward had 24 points in 24 minutes on 10-of-19 shooting in the game, adding nine rebounds, four assists and four steals in an effective all-around performance. He has shown plenty of promise during his rookie season and has grown throughout the year in multiple ways.
That includes the game against the Bulls. He talked afterward about a play early on where he missed an open Olivier-Maxence Prosper out of a post play and turned it over. At the end of the game, he made the easy pass that ultimately lifted the Grizzlies to a win.
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“It translated to the end of the game, which was kind of the same situation,” Coward said. “You get the ball, you read, they came and doubled me. That means somebody’s open. And then now all I’ve got to do is execute the pass. And it happened to be Walt.”
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: How Cedric Coward’s development has been silver lining in Grizzlies’ lost season