What Happened to Zach Edey, When Will the Grizzlies Star Return to Action?

If you watched Zach Edey down the stretch last season, you know exactly why the Grizzlies are so eager to get him back. He suited up in all four playoff games against Oklahoma City, putting up 6.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in 27 minutes a night. His Game 4 performance still jumps off the page: eight points on 3-of-4 shooting, eight rebounds, an assist, and a jaw-dropping seven blocks before fouling out in a narrow 117-115 loss.

That total stands as the most blocks ever by a Grizzlies rookie in a postseason game, and it came just two shy of Manute Bol’s NBA rookie record set in 1986. Even before that, Edey had been heating up in April, averaging 10.6 points, 15.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 blocks across his final eight regular-season games. For Memphis fans, those flashes weren’t just promising—they signaled a sophomore leap waiting to happen.

Injuries, unfortunately, have been part of Zach Edey’s story so far. The June ankle surgery wasn’t his first setback—far from it. Just this past season alone, he dealt with ankle issues in April, March, and November, plus another in early October tied to his calf. Add in a concussion late December, and it’s clear his rookie year was a battle just to stay on the floor. For a 7-foot-4 center trying to find his rhythm in the NBA, that’s a lot of hurdles in a short span.

Now the bigger question looms: how will Memphis piece things together to start the season, already bracing to be without Edey and other key contributors in their rotation?

Grizzlies’ frontcourt faces early-season test amid injuries

The Grizzlies rolled out more injury updates ahead of training camp, and it’s a lot to take in if you’re a fan of their frontcourt. Rookie Cedric Coward, this summer’s 11th-overall pick, is finally ready to fully participate after rehabbing a left shoulder injury from his Washington State days. Jaren Jackson Jr., fresh off turf toe surgery in early July, has been cleared to start basketball activities and could be back in 4–6 weeks. Brandon Clarke, meanwhile, will undergo an arthroscopic procedure to address knee synovitis in his right knee—a follow-up to his March PCL repair. With Edey also sidelined, the Grizzlies’ frontcourt suddenly looks thin.

NBA insider Keith Smith pointed out on X, “Grizzlies frontcourt is starting to look awfully thin. No Zach Edey and no Brandon Clarke to start the season. Jaren Jackson Jr. is coming off offseason surgery. Lots of minutes for Santi Aldama and Jock Landale to open the year. Maybe some for two-way player PJ Hall too.” Last season, Memphis was one of the best rebounding teams in the league, pulling down 47.3 boards per game, but with Edey, Clarke, and Jackson Jr. sidelined or coming off surgery, Aldama will be the only reliable frontcourt piece ready for opening night. That leaves Jock Landale, recently acquired from Houston, and two-way player P.J. Hall to shoulder much of the early load, with Landale’s 14.6% total rebound rate last season hinting he could help stabilize the paint.

Beyond Landale and Hall, the Grizzlies have added two more frontcourt players in hopes of shoring up depth. The team announced the signings of center Lawson Lovering and forward Tyler Burton, both of whom played for Memphis in the Summer League. Lovering, a 7-foot-1 Wyoming native, averaged 8.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 23.8 minutes as a senior at Utah, starting all 28 games he played last season. Burton, 6-foot-7 from Massachusetts, saw limited time in the G League with the Memphis Hustle but showcased scoring potential during Summer League play, finishing his college career at Villanova after transferring from Richmond.

While neither Lovering nor Burton signed standard NBA or two-way deals—most likely landing on Exhibit 10 contracts—they still represent potential options for a Grizzlies team riddled with injuries and in need of frontcourt minutes.