Between Deron Williams ' right wrist and Ronnie Price 's left shoulder, the Jazz were down to just one point guard in Sundiata Gaines at Thursday's practice. Never mind, of course, that it also happened to be Gaines' first NBA practice.
After sitting out Wednesday's victory over Memphis with a bruised and sprained wrist, Williams continued to wear a brace Thursday. His availability for tonight's game against the Grizzlies to complete the home-and-home set remains uncertain.
"I've just got to keep getting treatment," Williams said. "That's really all I can do. We'll see how it feels. If it wasn't my shooting hand, I think I could play.
I won't be able to shoot like this." Price is dealing with left shoulder tendinitis and played Wednesday with his shoulder taped. He acknowledged, "It had its sore moments," but Price was able to play despite some initial concerns about being able to shoot and dribble. Assisted care The Jazz now have played three games without Williams this season, beating Philadelphia 112-90 as part of their November trip and nearly upsetting Cleveland the following night on the Cavaliers' home court. With Williams out Wednesday, the Jazz totaled a season-high 39 assists, shot better than 60 percent through three quarters and demolished the Grizzlies 117-94. "They played great yesterday," Williams said. "It just looked like a different team out there, a different energy we had. We finally shared the ball. It's something we've got to continue to do." The explanation might be as simple as the Jazz making a collective effort in Williams' absence. "A lot of guys stepped up. It wasn't just one guy," Williams said. "Hopefully, people can stay with that same confidence when I come back." "When Deron's not in the game," Price added, "we have to find other ways to put the ball in the basket, other ways to get the job done, and the best way that we do that is by running and executing our offense." Day 2 Never in his wildest imagination did Gaines think he would play 21 minutes in his Jazz debut after being called up Tuesday on a 10-day contract from Idaho of the NBA Development League. "I played more minutes than some of the guys that's been here for a long time," Gaines said. "That's kind of surprising and shocking to me, but I'm happy for it." Having only gone through a game-day shootaround, Gaines knew the Jazz's basic pick-and-roll set, a handful of automatic reads and one inbounds play. He was set to delve a little deeper at Thursday's practice. Williams offered encouragement after the game, with Gaines saying: "He just told me keep going, I had a great game, and just keep playing hard and competing." Gaines also was looking forward to his first NBA trip and flying on the Jazz's charter. "I'm taking in every moment," Gaines said. "It's kind of hard to actually be playing and trying to take in every moment, but this is like monumental for me, so I'm just like enjoying the moment."
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