The Memphis Grizzlies recently added three players on two-way contracts, and none of them play point guard. Well, one of the Grizzlies’ injured point guards is getting close to a return.
Derrick Rose, who has been out because of a left hamstring strain since Jan. 3, has started participating in five-on-fives at practice. The Grizzlies are hoping he can be back in the rotation in one of the next three games.
“He’s getting to the latter stages,” coach Taylor Jenkins said. “He’s got a lot of great work with our medical team and performance team to get right over these last couple of weeks. He’s trending in a really good direction.”
Memphis will play home games against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors on Thursday and Friday, respectively. The Grizzlies then will go on the road for Sunday’s game against the Celtics in Boston.
Rose left the Grizzlies’ win against the San Antonio Spurs in the second quarter. A day later, he was given a “week-to-week” timeline on his left hamstring strain.
Not much has been said about Rose’s status the past few weeks. Since he was hurt, the Grizzlies also have lost Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane and Jake LaRavia to injuries, and Ja Morant is out for the season after having shoulder surgery.
Injuries have limited Rose to 17 games this season. He has made seven starts while averaging 8.4 points and 3.4 assists on 43.8% shooting. Players like Morant and Ziaire Williams often have spoken about the leadership Rose provides.
Memphis signed Scotty Pippen Jr. on Jan. 17 to a two-way contract to add point guard depth, and Jacob Gilyard has played 30 games this season. Adding Rose to the group will give Memphis another experienced option to run its offense.
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