Where Memphis looks to Cedric Coward to help calm the chaos in time

The final minutes of a close NBA game are a unique brand of chaos. The tempo tightens, the pressure mounts, and every possession becomes a high-stakes chess match where experience is the most valued currency. For Tuomas Iisal’s dramatic Memphis Grizzliesfinding players who can not only survive but thrive in that “downtime” environment is a constant quest. For a rookie wing like Cedric Coward, those minutes should usually be underwhelming rather than news-making moments.

Instead, they become a training ground for the 22-year-old. In fact, Cuard’s effectiveness as a championship piece shows up the most in the areas the Grizzlies have struggled with when games slow down. Focusing on defensive holding, ball movement and not turning the moment into a big game is the best way for any beginner to earn the trust of the team when games are on the line.

“The thing about experience is that you get it just by doing it,” Iisalo smiled. “I thought Cedric had a really good game (against the Oklahoma City Thunder). He guarded Jalen Williams really well, especially in the first half. (Coward) had some really good possessions…and some things he can improve on offensively. That’s for sure.”

Iisalo’s post-match comments made that clear The Grizzlies look to the Mambo mentality of Cedric Coward as more than just another development piece.

They see him as a potential Kawhi Leonard-level stabilizer when things get crazy. Scoring 21 points, grabbing eight boards and going 8-for-15 from the field (5-for-10 from three-point range) is becoming the norm. That was Coward’s mark in the comeback game, shaking off a 3-for-9 night (13 points) against the Thunder.

“(Coward) is a first-year player coming out of college, but he’s picking his spots,” Iisalo noted. “Overall, I would say our offense was very good down the stretch. He was a part of them, making quick decisions after the catch. His ball movement was great; he was finding open players. Those are things we have to build on and also want to use in crunch time.”

Competing over a one-point loss to the Thunder was not an option. In the next five-point win over the Brooklyn Nets, Coward came through in the clutch. His 3-pointer with 59 seconds left and a defensive rebound with 30 seconds left did the job.

“It says a lot about him that he’s not afraid of that moment,” Iisalo explained. “He hasn’t been (all season). He’s gotten a few looks. I think it was the Philly game, he got that open look, and he’s completely unflappable. He knows he can get that shot. I think he’s going to grow into a really good closer in the future because he not only has that mindset, but he’s got the game where he can create space for the k’no.”

By putting the new guy in these high-leverage situations now, Iisalo is making a calculated investment. The short-term risk of rookie mistakes is outweighed by the long-term gain of developing a player whose instincts are forged in fire. The Grizzlies aren’t just looking for him to survive crunch time; they challenge their latest first-round pick to help redefine it, transforming chaos into composed, collective execution.

For Cedric Coward, the classroom is the court, the home movie is, and the final exam happens with the game on the line. The Grizzlies are betting that his quick decisions and team approach will soon make him not a liability in the clutch, but a calming presence eager to win games.