Deron Williams didn't take part in the Jazz's pregame shootaround Wednesday as he continues to nurse a sprained and bruised right wrist and was leaning toward not playing tonight against Memphis.
"If I had to play right now, I wouldn't play," Williams said. "I've just got to see how it feels. I'm not going to rule myself out before I really know."
Williams had his hands tucked into his sweatshirt, but said he was wearing a brace on his wrist. He said his wrist has gotten worse in the 48 hours since he injured it in a fall during the Jazz's loss Monday to New Orleans.
"It's one of those things where overnight it just stiffens up, tightens up, starts hurting a little bit more," Williams said.
He underwent an MRI exam, which was negative for any broken bones or more serious injury, and was optimistic that it was more of a short-term nuisance.
"I don't think it's going to be something serious," Williams said. "It's just real sore right now and it's on my shooting hand, so I can't really follow through or do a dribbling motion, which is important."
If Williams cannot play tonight, the Jazz's challenge of ending a three-game losing streak only grows greater. "I definitely want to get out there and get back on the winning track because I know the team needs me and needs me to play well," Williams said.
The Jazz welcomed No. 3 point guard Sundiata Gaines, who was signed Tuesday to a 10-day contract after playing for Idaho in the NBA Development League.
Gaines went over some of the Jazz's plays at the pregame shootaround in the event he has to play tonight. Jazz coach Jerry Sloan wouldn't commit to playing Gaines, who has yet to go through a full practice.
Asked how comfortable he would feel if he played, Gaines said: "It's going feel a little excited, it might be a little nervous at first. But I'll relax. It's basketball. I just go out there and play and just be myself. That's what got me here, so that's what they want me to do."
Gaines also was asked how it felt to arrive in Utah at a time when the Jazz have been reeling recently.
"Just looking at them, I realize they've been up and down," Gaines said. "I want to come here and just do whatever it takes for the team to win.
"If coach asks me to go out, play defense, dive for loose balls or whatever it may be, I just want to help the team get back on a winning track and be consistent as much as possible."
As expected, rookie Wesley Matthews' contract has been guaranteed for the rest of the season.
