Zach Edey isn’t looking too far ahead. After an injury-shortened sophomore season, the Memphis Grizzlies centre has a simple plan: stay healthy and keep playing. Sportsnet’s Michael Grange shared Edey’s comments on X Monday morning, following the Grizzlies’ shootaround ahead of their game against the Toronto Raptors.
“I’m healthy, I’m playing, that’s it,” Edey said when asked about his future plans with the Canadian basketball team. Monday’s game will also mark just the second time Edey has played in his hometown against the Raptors.
The 7-foot-4 big man has appeared in eight games this season, averaging 8.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.4 blocks in 20.5 minutes per game. He missed Memphis’ October 24 game against Sacramento because of an ankle injury, sitting out the first leg of a back-to-back. Edey was limited to just 11 games last season due to ankle issues.
The Raptors have had trouble containing Edey in their previous meetings. Across two career games against Toronto, he’s averaged 17.0 points, 15.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 blocks while shooting 70 percent from the field. In his only appearance in Toronto during his rookie year, Edey recorded 13 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks in 25 minutes.
Those rebounding numbers are worth watching again Monday, especially with Jakob Poeltl expected to deal with Edey’s size inside. Poeltl is coming off a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double against the Milwaukee Bucks, after a tougher outing against the Denver Nuggets. He’ll have his hands full against the towering big.Â
Edey is still working his way back after last season’s injury troubles. Against the Raptors, though, he has a track record worth paying attention to.
