Grizzlies' rising star Edey shows progress after head injury, but availability for Wednesday's game remains in doubt as the team battles frontcourt shortages.
The Memphis Grizzlies saw a positive step on Monday — but not a definitive one — as center Zach Edey returned to the floor one day after exiting early with a head injury.
Edey was back at the team’s facility on Nov. 25, lightly shooting during the media-viewing portion of practice after taking a hit to the head in the first quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets. He logged just six minutes before being ruled out, and the team later listed him as questionable for Wednesday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans due to a migraine.
The episode is not new for the 7-foot-4 rookie. He missed two games last season because of a migraine that produced concussion-like symptoms, an issue the franchise monitored closely throughout his first NBA campaign.
At Monday’s session, Edey was limited to simple skill work — hook shots, free throws, and movement drills — while the Grizzlies continued evaluating him ahead of Wednesday’s matchup.
Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo offered additional context about Edey’s involvement, noting that the team deliberately kept the workload light.
Iisalo described Edey’s activity as “just able to move around a little bit.”
He also made clear that what took place Monday hardly qualified as a traditional practice, given the team’s schedule.
Providing more detail on the nature of the session, Iisalo said, “Practice is something where you go live and you at least have some situations, even if it’s against the coaches or the video guys or player on player, but those are so rare.”
The Grizzlies (6–11) have been managing a thin frontcourt for much of the early season, and Edey’s availability remains a key variable. His production — 10.2 points and 7.6 rebounds across five appearances — has been meaningful in a rotation already stretched by injuries. Without the six-minute outing against Denver, those averages climb to 12.3 points and 9.3 rebounds.
Memphis is still awaiting the return of Brandon Clarke, who underwent knee surgery in late September and is expected back sometime between late December and early January. Clarke’s absence has further elevated the responsibilities of Jock Landale, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama, each logging increased minutes as Iisalo works to stabilize the rotation.
Whether Edey is cleared for Wednesday remains uncertain, but his presence on the floor Monday — even in limited fashion — represented incremental progress. The Grizzlies will continue evaluating him as they prepare for the Pelicans, hoping their emerging center can avoid another setback while the team navigates a demanding early-season stretch.