Cedric Coward stays positive despite rough debut

Oct 8, 2025 7:46 PM

Memphis Grizzlies rookie Cedric Coward didn’t have the type of professional debut most players dream about.

In Monday’s 128-112 preseason loss to the Detroit Pistons, the 22-year-old swingman went 0-for-7 from the field, committed three fouls, and finished with a -22 plus/minus in 18 minutes on the floor.

Head coach Tuomas Iisalo didn’t sugarcoat the performance, admitting it was a “rough night” for the former Washington State standout.

Still, for both Coward and the team, the biggest takeaway was simply that he was back on the court at all, as Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported.

The player missed most of the 2024–25 college season and sat out Summer League after undergoing shoulder surgery, meaning Monday marked his first live action since November 2024.

For the rookie himself, the experience was less about the box score and more about breaking the ice.

“Now that I’ve touched an NBA court, you don’t really have to get your feet wet anymore,” Coward explained.

“It’s like your first time going swimming. Once you get in the pool, you’re straight. … Ultimately, it’s just getting the rhythm of the game. The shots I did take were shots I liked. That’s why I’m not worried about it. It wasn’t like I was rushing them or anything. They just weren’t falling.”