Grizzlies have headache on their hands with Zach Edey's status in doubt

Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey faces uncertainty over the next few days after catching a knock to the head and leaving inside six minutes in a Monday night loss. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Zach Edey in the post vs. Jokic pic.twitter.com/7muFNlZjo2

— eric (@EricTweetsNBA) November 25, 2025

Those were his only two points in addition to a rebound in 5:41. Jock Landale got extended minutes in his absence, leading Memphis with 26 points and 10 rebounds.

The hope is that any absence going forward is precautionary in nature and doesn’t cost Edey, a two-time National College Player of the Year at Purdue, significant time. Landale, who started the first 13 games, is likely to return to the first five until Edey returns. Despite helping keep Memphis afloat against Denver on Monday with his offense, the Grizzlies lamented their second-year center’s absence.

The Memphis Grizzlies have a headache on their hands with center Zach Edey's status in doubt over the next week. Fortunately, that seems like a best-case scenario since concussion protocol hasn't been discussed.

Edey missed the first 13 games of the season as he recovered from offseason left ankle surgery. The Grizzlies opened 4-9, but had gone 2-2 with the 7-foot-4 center playing a significant role in the team’s improvement in averaging 12.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and two blocks.

Edey appeared to be hurt early after catching an inadvertent knock from Nikola Jokic in the post, played a few more minutes and then exited, never to return. Edey opened the game with an impressive back-to-the-basket finish on the three-time MVP.

Zach Edey in the post vs. Jokic pic.twitter.com/7muFNlZjo2

— eric (@EricTweetsNBA) November 25, 2025

Those were his only two points in addition to a rebound in 5:41. Jock Landale got extended minutes in his absence, leading Memphis with 26 points and 10 rebounds.

The hope is that any absence going forward is precautionary in nature and doesn’t cost Edey, a two-time National College Player of the Year at Purdue, significant time. Landale, who started the first 13 games, is likely to return to the first five until Edey returns. Despite helping keep Memphis afloat against Denver on Monday with his offense, the Grizzlies lamented their second-year center’s absence.

“You guys understand, when he (Edey) came back, how much better our team got defensively, on the rebounding end, even the offensive end,” Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo said post-game. “His roles are gravitating guys inside, so we’re getting easier shots on the outside. It was a huge loss.”

Edey is 9-for-10 from the field in Memphis wins this season and made the difference in this past weekend’s victory at Dallas with four blocked shots, matching his regular-season career-high. He swatted seven in Game 4 against Oklahoma City in last season’s first round and continues to improve, so the Grizzlies can only hope he can get back out there to continue contributing and gaining experience.

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