Memphis Grizzlies centre Zach Edey was forced to exit the Summer League game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday after suffering an apparent ankle injury.
Edey, 22, was playing in his first game back after missing the team’s last five summer contests with a left ankle injury suffered on July 8 against the Utah Jazz.
This injury, seemingly on his right ankle this time around, occurred at the three-minute mark in the second quarter after going up to contest a shot on the defensive end. He came down awkwardly on his ankle after falling over a Pelicans player.
He stayed down on the floor for some time clutching at his ankle. He managed to walk it off by himself and didn’t seem to be limping but went back to the team’s locker room.
The No. 9 overall pick in this year’s draft finished the game with six points and three rebounds on a perfect 3-of-3 from the field in nine minutes.
A two-time college player of the year, Edey did not have a history of injuries while playing at Purdue.
Memphis is currently 3-0 in the Las Vegas Summer League. With a win against the Pelicans, the Grizzlies will move on to the Summer League knockout stages for a chance to take home the title.
Zach Edey, the promising young center for the Memphis Grizzlies, recently suffered an ankle injury during his return to Summer League action. The injury occurred during a game against the Brooklyn Nets, where Edey was making his highly anticipated comeback after missing several games due to a previous ankle sprain.
The 7-foot-4 center appeared to be in considerable pain as he went down clutching his ankle after landing awkwardly on a rebound attempt. He was immediately helped off the court by team trainers and did not return to the game. The severity of the injury is still unknown, but it is a concerning setback for Edey as he looks to establish himself in the NBA.
Edey, who was drafted by the Grizzlies in the second round of the 2022 NBA Draft, has shown flashes of potential during his time in the Summer League. His size and skill set make him a unique prospect, and many fans and analysts were excited to see how he would perform in his return to action.
This injury is a reminder of the physical toll that professional basketball can take on players, especially young ones who are still adjusting to the rigors of the NBA. It also highlights the importance of proper conditioning and rehabilitation in order to prevent injuries and ensure a long and successful career.
The Grizzlies organization has not yet released an official statement on Edey’s injury, but fans are hopeful that it is not serious and that he will be able to return to action soon. In the meantime, Edey will likely undergo further evaluation and treatment to determine the extent of the injury and develop a plan for recovery.
Despite this setback, Zach Edey remains a promising young talent with a bright future ahead of him. Fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on his condition and hoping for a speedy recovery so that he can continue to showcase his skills on the court.