Second-year center Zach Edey has helped change the trajectory of the Grizzlies‘ season after making his season debut in mid-November, writes Michael Wallace of Grind City Media. After a 4-11 start, Memphis has won five of its past six games, largely due to the two-way play of the former Purdue star.
“(Edey’s impact has meant) everything,” head coach Tuomas Iisalo said. “Great job overall by him and the whole team for realizing that’s where the advantage is.”
The 7’3″ big man from Toronto had the best game of his NBA career on Sunday in Sacramento, dominating the Kings en route to 32 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks in just 29 minutes of action. He shot 16-of-20 (80%) from the field and Memphis was plus-25 with the 23-year-old on the court in the eight-point win.
“I’ve just been really comfortable this year,” Edey said of a stretch that made him a finalist for NBA Western Conference Player of the Week honors. “I’ve been settling in, feeling like I’m back at Purdue a little bit – just comfortable. It feels like everybody’s been playing good basketball, executing the gameplan and the vision. And that’s what we’ve been working for.”
Over the past three games — all victories — Edey has averaged 19.3 PPG, 17.0 RPG and 3.3 BPG while shooting 71.8% from the field in 32.0 MPG.
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- While it’s too early to say how meaningful it is, Ja Morant was visibly engaged with and encouraging his teammates and coaches during the Grizzlies‘ win on Sunday, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. As Amick observes, Morant has been the subject of trade chatter this fall amid a very poor start, disinterested body language, and a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team. Memphis will continue to receive buy-low trade calls on Morant, Amick continues, with the Kings and Timberwolves among the clubs monitoring the situation. But for now, Morant seems to be pleased with the team’s turnaround. “It’s a huge advantage for us,” Iisalo said of Morant. “It’s during the games. He’s … asking stuff of me and giving some tips there for the guys. Overall, really good communication, really good leadership, both from him and also from Jaren (Jackson Jr.) and our veteran guys.”
- Injured Spurs Victor Wembanyama (left calf strain) and Stephon Castle (left hip flexor strain) are out again on Tuesday, but they are making progress and have begun on-court work, relays Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News (via Twitter). According to Mike Finger of the Express-News (Twitter link), neither player will travel to Orlando for Wednesday’s back-to-back, and while there’s a chance they could join the four-game road trip that runs through next Wednesday, that doesn’t necessarily either of the past two Rookie of the Year winners will play during that stretch.
- Two days before it was reported that he would miss extended time with a strained adductor, Pelicans star Zion Williamson expressed confidence that he had turned the corner on his injury woes, per Athlon Sports contributor Mark Medina. “I haven’t felt like this since college, high school,” Williamson said Sunday. “I walk in the gym, and I feel good.” While interim head coach James Borrego praised Williamson in other ways, he said at the time he’d like to see the former Duke forward improve as a leader, Medina adds. “That’s one area of growth for him that he and I consistently talk about: it’s how to lead,” Borrego said. “He’s obviously a talent. But the more he can lean into leadership and grow into his teammates, that’s where he wants to go. I just see a curious individual, trying to get better in all aspects of his game.”