Grizzlies Center Zach Edey Out for Rest of Season After Ankle Surgery

The 7-foot-3 center has been sidelined since early December due to the injury.

Mar. 4, 2026 at 4:19am

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The Memphis Grizzlies announced that center Zach Edey will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 NBA season after undergoing successful surgery to address ongoing discomfort and bone stress in his left ankle. Edey, the team's starting center, has not played since December 7 and is expected to make a full recovery in time for the 2026-27 season.

Why it matters

Edey's injury is a significant blow to the struggling Grizzlies, who are five games out of the final play-in tournament spot in the Western Conference. However, the team may be more focused on their position in the loaded 2026 NBA Draft, where they currently have the eighth-best lottery odds.

The details

Edey underwent ankle surgery last June and missed the start of the season. He was then diagnosed with a stress reaction in his left ankle in early December, leading to the latest procedure to 'reinforce the medial ligament complex and accelerate bone healing.' The 7-foot-3, 305-pound center has averaged 13.6 points and 11.1 rebounds per game this season, his second in the NBA.

  • Edey last played in the Grizzlies' win over the Portland Trail Blazers on December 7, 2025.
  • The Grizzlies have just 22 games left on their schedule after Tuesday's loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The players

Zach Edey

A 23-year-old center for the Memphis Grizzlies, selected 9th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft after a standout college career at Purdue.

Memphis Grizzlies

An NBA team based in Memphis, Tennessee that currently has a 23-37 record and is five games out of the final play-in tournament spot in the Western Conference.

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What’s next

The Grizzlies will continue their season without Edey, focusing on their draft position for the loaded 2026 NBA Draft.

The takeaway

Edey's injury is a setback for the Grizzlies, but it may ultimately benefit the team's long-term outlook as they look to rebuild through the draft. Injury concerns remain a significant issue for the young 7-foot-3 center.