The Memphis Grizzlies have provided an update on the injury status of Derrick Rose, indicating a potential timeline for his return to the court. Rose has been sidelined due to a left hamstring strain since January 3, but he has now commenced participating in five-on-fives at practice, signaling progress in his recovery.
According to coach Taylor Jenkins, Rose is nearing a return to the rotation, with the team hoping for his availability in one of the next three games. Jenkins expressed optimism about Rose’s recovery, stating, ‘He’s getting to the latter stages. He’s trending in a really good direction after a lot of great work with our medical and performance team over these last couple of weeks.’
The Grizzlies are set to play home games against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, followed by a road game against the Celtics in Boston. These upcoming fixtures present potential opportunities for Rose’s return to the lineup.
Rose sustained the left hamstring strain during a game against the San Antonio Spurs, following which he was initially provided with a ‘week-to-week’ timeline for his recovery. Despite limited updates on his status in recent weeks, the team has been dealing with multiple injuries, including those to Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane, Jake LaRavia, and the season-ending injury to Ja Morant.
Throughout the season, Rose has been limited to 17 games, making seven starts and averaging 8.4 points and 3.4 assists. His absence has been felt by the team, with players like Morant and Ziaire Williams acknowledging the leadership and experience that Rose brings to the lineup.
In response to the injury challenges, the Grizzlies signed Scotty Pippen Jr. to a two-way contract for added point guard depth and have relied on Jacob Gilyard, who has played 30 games this season. The potential return of Rose will provide the team with another experienced option to orchestrate their offense.
As the Grizzlies navigate through the remainder of the season, the status of Derrick Rose remains a focal point for the team and fans alike, with hopes for his imminent return to bolster the lineup and contribute to their ongoing campaign.
