Grizzlies' massive rookie sidelined further. A six-week extension means a long road back for Edey, deepening Memphis's frontcourt challenges.
The Memphis Grizzlies announced Tuesday that Zach Edey will remain sidelined for approximately six additional weeks while rehabilitating a stress fracture in his left ankle. The update formalizes what had already become an extended absence for the 7-foot-3 center, who has not appeared in a game since early December.
In a statement released as part of the team’s injury report, the Grizzlies detailed the process behind the decision.
“Based on the unanimous recommendation of consulting experts, Edey will continue on his current plan of offloading and rehabilitation, with a reevaluation to follow in approximately six weeks," the Grizzlies wrote.
Edey last played Dec. 7, when he posted 12 points and 10 rebounds against the Portland Trail Blazers. Since then, Memphis has been forced to reshuffle its interior rotation while monitoring a rookie whose size and production made him an immediate factor early in the season.
The former Purdue standout, selected ninth overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, was averaging 13.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 block prior to the injury. His efficiency around the rim and ability to control the glass provided Memphis with a stabilizing presence during a stretch marked by broader roster volatility.
Durability, however, has followed Edey into the NBA. He sustained three ankle sprains during his rookie campaign and underwent an ankle procedure in June, context that has shaped the team’s conservative approach. At 305 pounds, managing cumulative lower-body stress has become a central part of his long-term outlook.
Edey is not the only Grizzlies big man on a delayed timetable. The team also announced that Brandon Clarke is progressing well from a Grade 2 calf strain suffered Dec. 20 and is expected back in four to six weeks. Scotty Pippen Jr. is on a similar timeline following an Oct. 21 toe surgery intended to alleviate persistent discomfort in his left great toe.
The injury update arrives as Memphis prepares for a rare international showcase. The Grizzlies open their European trip Thursday in Berlin before concluding Sunday in London, a stretch that places additional strain on a roster already managing health concerns.
While Edey remains stateside, the team continues to juggle uncertainty elsewhere, including the status of Ja Morant, who has missed five games with a right calf contusion. Morant was listed as a game-time decision Wednesday, and head coach Tuomas Iisalo struck an optimistic tone about his progress while dismissing external speculation about the star guard’s future.
“We are not in the business of commenting on random internet reports,” Iisalo said. “He’s progressing in the practices. He’s already able to do a lot of the parts of practice, so looking good to progress (toward playing).”
For Memphis, Edey’s absence is less about immediate wins and losses than it is about protecting a foundational investment. The organization views his development as a multi-year project, one that hinges on availability as much as production. The next six weeks will determine not only when Edey returns, but how carefully the Grizzlies manage one of the league’s most physically unique young centers once he does.