Image Credits: Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Memphis Grizzlies’ Zach Edey To Undergo Surgery After Re-Spraining Left Ankle, Likely To Miss Start of Next Season

Ankle injuries have been a major concern for Zach Edey since the beginning of his NBA career.

Image Credits: Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Memphis Grizzlies suffered a major setback as their starting center Zach Edey re-sprained his left ankle during his off-season workout. He will undergo a surgery, and while there is no official timelines decided for his return, Edey is likely to miss the beginning of the 2025-26 NBA season, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. Notably, Edey has been dealing with recurring ankle injuries ever since he joined the league.

ESPN reporting: Memphis Grizzlies All-Rookie center Zach Edey re-sprained his left ankle in an offseason workout this week and will undergo surgery to re-stabilize the ankle. Edey will likely miss the beginning of the 2025-26 NBA season. pic.twitter.com/v1jDJ4TU2g
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 7, 2025

The first time he injured his left ankle was in July 2024 while playing summer league. Later, he also suffered a major left ankle injury which compelled him to miss 12 games. His latest injury was confirmed by the Grizzlies, who released a statement stating, “During an offseason training session this week, Edey re-sprained his left ankle, imaging revealed excessive ligamentous laxity, which will require Edey to undergo surgery to address the laxity and re-establish his ankle.”

Notably, the 23-year-old was drafted as ninth overall pick in 2024 and played 66 games in his rookie season. The Purdue alum averaged 9.2 points and 8.3 rebounds, while earning All-Rookie first team selection and finishing fifth in Rookie of the Year voting.

A Quick Glimpse at Zach Edey’s NBA Rookie Season

As stated, Edey earned All-Rookie first team honors with 73 first-team votes, and 27 second-team votes, joined San Antonio Spurs’ Stephon Castle and Atlanta’s Zaccharie Risacher to be the only players to appear on 100 ballots for the NBA All-Rookie team. In his first season, he led all-rookies in field goal percentage at 58% and rebounds per game at 8.3. Moreover, he also finished fourth in blocks and second in plus-minus with plus-164.

As he recorded 12 doubles-doubles, the Toronto-born became the first Grizzlies rookie since Marc Gasol, to record the number. Gasol accomplished the feat in the 2008-09 campaign. In one of his interviews, he reflected upon his injuries and said that there is a lot good to take from everything.

As quoted by ESPN, Edey said, “There’s a lot of good to take from it, a lot of things I can work on. For me, stringing games together was the big thing. Once I get in a rhythm, get in that flow and didn’t have to worry about a little ankle roll or something like that holding me back, I think that’s when I started taking off. That’s one thing I’ll really remember.”

It is to be seen when the Grizzlies’ sophomore gets back on court in the next season.

Memphis Grizzlies

Zach Edey

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.