Grizzlies’ Zach Edey out with stress reaction in left ankle, will be reevaluated in 4 weeks

Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey will be reevaluated in four weeks due to a stress reaction in his left ankle, the team announced. The team is managing Edey’s injury to optimize his long-term health.

Edey underwent ankle surgery in June and missed the start of the season. The 23-year-old center made his season debut Nov. 15. Edey has also missed time with a head injury when he made his return this season.

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Edey is averaging 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 11 games this season. Last season, Edey averaged 9.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 66 games and was on the NBA’s All-Rookie team.

In Edey’s place, Jock Landale could get the bulk of the starting center minutes for Memphis. Landale started 13 games and has averaged 10.9 points and 5.4 rebounds in his first season in Memphis.

Brandon Clarke has also been sidelined with a knee injury he suffered in the offseason. A knee injury also ended Clarke’s season last year. Clarke has not played since last March. In November, the Grizzlies announced that Clarke would return in six-to-nine weeks.

Despite the injures in the frontcourt, the Grizzlies remain one of the top rebounding teams in the NBA. The Grizzlies are third in the NBA in rebounds, averaging 46.5 per game, behind only the Detroit Pistons and the Houston Rockets. The Grizzlies also rank 11th in points allowed despite being 22nd in blocks per game.

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Without Edey and Clarke, the Grizzlies may be forced to play more small ball. Forwards Santi Aldama and Jaren Jackson Jr. could get more minutes at center. Aldama is off to a career-best 13.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1 steal per game.

Jackson leads the team in scoring, averaging 17 points, 5 rebounds and 1 block per game. Jackson dealt with a toe injury this offseason. The Grizzlies are 11-13 this season, good for ninth in the Western Conference.

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