Zach Edey's Statement After Crucial Grizzlies-Warriors Game

Zach Edey spoke about playing in his first NBA Play-In game ever against the Golden State Warriors

Apr 15, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (14) shoots over Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) in the second quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

At this point, the dust has settled from the Memphis Grizzlies' 121-116 loss to the Golden State Warriors in the first game of the NBA Play-In Tournament. Memphis will now face the Dallas Mavericks on Friday in a do-or-die matchup for the eighth seed in the playoffs.

Grizzlies center Zach Edey impressed in his first postseason game. The rookie played his role, putting up 14 points, 17 rebounds, and two assists in 33 minutes of action. In fact, Edey has already made an impact in his first professional season, averaging 9.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks over 66 games played.

Zach Edey vs Golden State:

14 PTS
17 REB

Has 82 rebounds over his last five games. pic.twitter.com/l9nD9E1Ji8

— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 16, 2025

After the game, Edey talked about the defensive matchups, which were more oriented toward forcing threes. The Warriors took 43 three-pointers to Memphis' 26; however, the Grizzlies knocked them down at a 46.2% rate compared to Golden State at 34.9%.

“Yeah, definitely the matchups were related to them taking some threes," Edey said. "I’m okay with that if it means I’m in the paint taking away layups or taking away other guys' threes. Sometimes those are the matchups that will live.”

Despite being just 22 years old, Edey already has plenty of experience in high-stakes basketball games. The 7-foot-4 center went to the NCAA Tournament in all four years with the Purdue Boilermakers, including a National Championship appearance last season. He talked about the difference between a regular-season game and a postseason game in the NBA.

“At the end of the day, it’s still just basketball," Edey said. "It’s not a different sport, it’s not nothing I’ve played. It’s the same game I’ve played all year, same team we’ve played with all year. In the past, obviously every possession matters, but every game is super important. I think that’s the big difference but that’s nothing I haven’t seen before.”

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