The Memphis Grizzlies are benefitting from second-year big man Zach Edey’s recent return from offseason ankle surgery, a return that has seen him play with a renewed confidence.
Edey is putting up numbers like he did at Purdue, where he twice earned National Player of the Year honors. And those contributions have led the Grizzlies out of an early-season funk that saw them lose 11 of their first 15 games.
Since Edey’s return Nov. 15, the Grizzlies have won five of nine games. When the Los Angeles Clippers visit Friday night, Edey will attempt to continue the most impressive stretch of his young career.
In those nine games back from surgery, Edey has produced several dominant performances. He had a career-high 32 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks in a 115-107 win at Sacramento on Nov. 30. He became the first player in NBA history to have a 32-17-5 stat line while playing fewer than 30 minutes.
Edey had 19 rebounds and three blocks in a come-from-behind 112-107 victory Nov. 28 over the Clippers in Los Angeles. Memphis trailed by 16 at one point.
And against the New Orleans Pelicans on Nov. 26, Edey finished with 21 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks in a 133-128 overtime triumph.
He is averaging 14.2 points and 11.6 rebounds while shooting 67.1%. Those numbers would be more robust had he not been limited to six minutes because of a migraine headache in a home game against Denver.
“I’ve just been really comfortable this year,” Edey said. “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 game plan and the vision. And that’s what we’ve been working for.”
Edey’s insertion back into the lineup and into the paint has created opportunities for teammates and taken away scoring opportunities for opponents. Offensively, he has been accurate with his quick-release jump hooks near the basket.
“My teammates are looking for me every possession down the floor,” Edey said. “I think there are times we get into a little trouble looking for me too much. But that’s a testament to the faith my team has in me. They’re always looking for me in my spots, always believing in me.”
Edey’s return has been welcome.
“It’s a very unified group right now,” Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo said. “That’s everything. You never get to choose where you start from. We started the season in a bit of chaotic circumstances with guys having to learn new positions, having to miss (time) and some injuries. We had to rearrange a lot of things, especially offensively.”
The Clippers ended a five-game losing streak Wednesday with a 115-92 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
The win came after the Clippers confirmed earlier in the day they were parting ways with Chris Paul, a 12-time All-Star. Paul, in his 21st NBA season, was averaging 2.9 points and 3.3 assists in 16 appearances.
“I don’t like it, I don’t like it for CP,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “It just wasn’t a good fit.”
Lue said the Clippers can reverse their fortunes — they’ve lost eight of 10 — if they can “play hard for 48 minutes, then everything else will take care of itself.”
James Harden had 27 points and nine assists to lead the Clippers. Kawhi Leonard scored 21 and Ivica Zubac paired 14 points with 17 rebounds.
