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Derrick Rose, Ziaire Williams injury updates on status for rest of Grizzlies season
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- Derrick Rose, Ziaire Williams injury updates on status for rest of Grizzlies season
The Memphis Grizzlies may be out of playoff contention, but they remain hopeful that more of their injured players will return. Two of those players are unlikely to be part of that process.
Grizzlies point guard Derrick Rose and forward Ziaire Williams are unlikely to return this season, coach Taylor Jenkins said. Rose is dealing with a right groin injury and recovery in his lower back. Williams also has a lower back injury and a hip flexor strain.
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Ja Morant is the only Grizzlies player who has officially been ruled out for the season. Jenkins said Williams and Rose are "for sure" two of the current other injured players who should join them.
"They're doing well," Jenkins said of Rose and Williams. "Most likely they're not going to be coming back by the end of the season. We're just kind of taking it day to day."
On March 5, the Grizzlies announced that Rose would be re-evaluated in three weeks and Williams in four.
Rose has played in 24 games this season and made seven starts while dealing with a multitude of injuries. He was tasked with being more vocal for a Grizzlies team searching for veterans, and he accepted the challenge. Rose has averaged eight points and 3.3 assists in 16.6 minutes per game.
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This part of the season was viewed as a crucial period for Williams, but he'll miss an important developmental opportunity after a hard fall his last time on the floor on March 2. Williams has averaged 8.2 points in 51 games this season.
Williams and Rose are both under contract one more season with the Grizzlies.
"We're having tons of dialogue with them individually and also with the medical team," Jenkins said. "I wouldn't say we're pivoting to an offseason program. We're just making sure they're healthy with what they're navigating. These guys have been fully invested, still working to whatever degree they can."
Memphis is still hopeful Vince Williams Jr. and John Konchar will return this season. Both players were recently listed as doubtful before Wednesday's loss against the Los Angeles Lakers .
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Jenkins said that Williams remains without a timeline while dealing with left patellar tendonitis.
"It's still kind of a fluid situation," Jenkins said. "We want to maximize these last nine games but obviously we're being smart."
Memphis is back in action with a road game against the Orlando Magic on Saturday (6 p.m., Bally Sports Southeast).
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Derrick Rose, Ziaire Williams injury updates news for rest of season
