Zach Edey's dominant return ignites the Grizzlies, fueling a resurgence and transforming their identity as they finally find their stride.
The Memphis Grizzlies spent much of November fighting uphill against injuries and a difficult schedule. The shift began the moment Zach Edey rejoined the rotation, and his recent surge has pushed Memphis toward its most promising stretch of the season.
Since returning from ankle surgery on Nov. 15, Edey has anchored a team still trying to establish rhythm under coach Tuomas Iisalo. He has averaged 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks across eight games, production that has escalated sharply during the Grizzlies’ current road swing. Over his past three outings — all wins — he has posted 19.3 points, 17.0 rebounds and 3.3 blocks, including a career-best 32-point, 17-rebound, five-block night in Sacramento on Sunday.
Iisalo described Edey’s impact as transformative, framing the center as the foundation of Memphis’ resurgence. In comments credited to Grind City Media, Iisalo emphasized how decisively the second-year big has shifted the Grizzlies’ identity.
“Everything. Great job overall by him and the whole team for realizing that’s where the advantage is.”
Memphis needed that advantage after opening 4-11 while juggling extended absences for Edey, Jaren Jackson Jr. and free-agent guard Ty Jerome. Ja Morant has also missed the past two weeks with a calf strain. The early injuries were compounded by the challenge of adjusting to Iisalo’s first full season implementing his system.
The team’s defensive issues evaporated almost immediately once Edey returned. Memphis has posted one of the NBA’s best defensive ratings since his debut, controlled the glass consistently and rediscovered late-game execution. The improvements defined the first three stops of the Grizzlies’ road trip, which began with comeback wins in New Orleans and Los Angeles before Sunday’s wire-to-wire performance in Sacramento.
Edey said the game has slowed down considerably with each appearance, allowing his timing and feel to resemble the dominance he displayed in college.
“I’ve just been really comfortable this year,” Edey said. “I’ve been settling in, feeling like I’m back at Purdue a little bit — just comfortable.”
That comfort has carried over to those around him. Jackson has played some of his sharpest basketball of the season on the trip. Santi Aldama, Cam Spencer, Jaylen Wells and Vince Williams Jr. have emerged as steady rotation pieces. Memphis has also tightened defensively in fourth quarters, holding the Clippers to 44 second-half points on Friday and limiting the Kings to 20 in the final period on Sunday.
Iisalo reflected on how much adversity Memphis had to navigate before arriving at this stretch.
“We started the season in a bit of chaotic circumstances with guys having to learn new positions, having to miss time,” Iisalo said. “We had to rearrange a lot of things.”
He added that the recent results validate the team’s persistence through those early challenges.
“Guys have just put their heads down and kept working,” Iisalo said. “These types of wins and this road trip just bring a lot of belief in what we’re doing.”
The improved cohesion has been noticeable to the players as well. Spencer, who has taken on additional ball-handling duties amid the injuries, pointed to the growing connection within the locker room.
“We’ve just gotten more connected as we’ve gone on this season,” Spencer said. “We still have to put a full 48 minutes together, but we’ve come together down the stretch to win games.”
Wells believed before the trip that Memphis was positioned to sweep all four games, a goal that now hinges on Tuesday’s meeting with San Antonio.
“It’s showing that what we’re doing is working, so just stay with it,” Wells said.
For Edey, the surge is rooted in trust — both given and received. “My teammates are looking for me every possession down the floor,” Edey said. “They’re always looking for me in my spots, always believing in me.”
With a December schedule heavy on opponents below .500, Memphis has a chance to erase its early-season slide. Edey views the turnaround as the product of a team adjusting under new leadership at its own pace.
“People just needed to have some patience,” he said. “Nothing good comes immediately. You have to wait a little bit.”
And now, for the Grizzlies, the wait may finally be turning into momentum.