Grizzlies' dominant center sidelined. His absence reshapes Memphis' elite defense, impacting a surprising midseason turnaround. How will they adapt?
The Memphis Grizzlies will be without one of their most impactful young players for at least the next month after announcing Tuesday that second-year center Zach Edey has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in his left ankle and will be re-evaluated in approximately four weeks.
Edey, who has rapidly become a central figure in Memphis’ midseason turnaround, is expected to make a full recovery following a period of offloading and rehabilitation, according to the team.
Before the injury, Edey was averaging 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 25.8 minutes across 11 games while shooting 63.3% from the field. His production has only hinted at his larger influence. Since his season debut on Nov. 15, Memphis has quietly resembled a top-tier team — posting a 7–4 record with the NBA’s second-ranked defense and a top-six net rating.
With Edey on the court, those numbers shifted from impressive to dominant. The Grizzlies allowed just 95.1 points per 100 possessions in his minutes, a figure that outpaced even Oklahoma City’s league-leading defensive mark. Their net rating with Edey ballooned to +29.6, placing him among the NBA’s most impactful players on a per-possession basis this season.
The influence was obvious long before the metrics surfaced. In the first 2 minutes and 36 seconds of Sunday’s win over Portland, Edey delivered a rapid-fire sequence of paint seals, rim finishes, lob threats, and defensive shutdowns that immediately tilted the floor. He finished that game with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists in 22 minutes — emblematic of how quickly he can control possessions.
His game has continued to expand beyond traditional post dominance. Edey’s deep seals routinely generate high-percentage offense. His rolls force help early, creating pockets, cuts, and driving lanes for teammates. Memphis rebounds 80.3% of opponent misses when he plays — compared to 72.0% when he sits. And because of his sheer size and positioning, help defenders swarm toward him, unlocking aggressive rotations for Jaylen Wells, Vince Williams Jr. and Cedric Coward.
Despite his early success, Edey remains a work in progress, especially as a screener, passer, and in the rare perimeter situation. But his reliability near the rim and improved defensive timing have quickly become foundational to Memphis’ identity.
With Edey sidelined, Jock Landale is expected to take on the bulk of the center minutes, with Santi Aldama stepping into a larger secondary role. Neither replicates Edey’s physical gravity, but the Grizzlies will attempt to maintain their defensive structure until he returns sometime after the new year. This development also continues to limit Edey to playing only six minutes with Ja Morant, even as the star point guard is on the verge of returning from a lengthy injury absence.
Memphis also announced two additional injury updates. John Konchar sustained a UCL tear in his left thumb during Sunday’s game against Portland and will undergo a procedure to repair it. Javon Small continues progressing in his recovery from a turf toe injury and is expected to return in 3–5 weeks.
For a Grizzlies team that has finally stabilized after a turbulent start, losing Edey — even temporarily — presents a meaningful challenge. His impact arrived fast, and his absence will be felt just as quickly.