News Summary
Zach Edey, rookie center for the Memphis Grizzlies, is set to miss the opening games of the NBA season following left ankle surgery due to a recent sprain. This marks his second ankle injury in months, raising concerns for the team’s frontcourt depth. Edey previously missed games last season but made a strong impact upon his return. The Grizzlies aim to reassess his condition in four months as they prepare for the upcoming season, with hopes for additional roster support amid injury concerns.
Memphis – Zach Edey, the rookie center for the Memphis Grizzlies, is expected to miss the start of the 2025-26 NBA season after undergoing surgery on his left ankle. The operation was necessitated by an ankle sprain sustained during offseason training last week, which marked the second time Edey has dealt with this injury in recent months.
The surgery was performed with the intention of repairing and restabilizing the injured ankle. Following the procedure, the Grizzlies plan to reevaluate Edey in four months, just before the season opens on October 21, 2025. This timeline raises questions about his availability for the team’s initial games, adding to the concerns faced by the franchise.
Edey previously missed 12 games at the beginning of the 2024-25 season due to a similar left ankle sprain, which likely contributed to the team’s struggles. However, when Edey returned to play, he made a significant impact, participating in 66 games and starting in 55. He averaged 9.2 points per game along with a standout 8.3 rebounds, leading all NBA rookies in that statistic. His performance earned him a place on the All-Rookie first team and he finished fifth in the Rookie of the Year voting.
Edey stands at an impressive 7-foot-3 and hails from Toronto. He was previously a standout player at Purdue, where he earned the National College Player of the Year honors for two consecutive years in 2023 and 2024. The Grizzlies selected Edey with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, highlighting his potential as a highly valued addition to the team.
Edey’s agent has indicated that the decision to undergo surgery was made to ensure Edey can return to the court at 100% capacity and without limitations. Concerns are growing among Grizzlies fans regarding the team’s history of injuries, particularly as they hope for a smooth recovery for the young center.
Despite Edey’s injury woes, the Grizzlies still have a core of talented players under contract for the upcoming season. Star players such as Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, and Jaylen Wells are expected to play pivotal roles as the team navigates through this difficult period.
In summary, the Memphis Grizzlies find themselves in a precarious situation with Edey’s recovery process and the implications it holds for the upcoming season. As the franchise prepares for the future, the focus will be on both Edey’s rehabilitation and the potential acquisition of additional frontcourt support.
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Additional Resources
- Commercial Appeal
- Wikipedia: Zach Edey
- Beale Street Bears
- Google Search: Zach Edey ankle injury
- Bleacher Report
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Zach Edey
- ESPN
- Google News: Grizzlies season preview
