Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey will undergo a second surgery on his left ankle, the team announced Sunday, March 1.
Edey initially underwent surgery in June to stabilize a stress reaction in his ankle and didn’t make his season debut until Nov. 15, but he has dealt with lingering discomfort that has limited him to playing just 11 games.
‘Based on the unanimous opinion of consulting expert physicians, Edey’s lateral ligaments remain stable post-surgery with ongoing discomfort and talar bone stress being driven by progressive laxity of the deltoid (medial) ligaments,’ the Grizzlies said in the statement. ‘The upcoming procedure will reinforce the medial ligament complex and accelerate bone healing.’
The Grizzlies added that this surgery is meant to address the discomfort and talar bone stress in his ankle. He is expected to make a full recovery, and the team said a timeline will be provided following his surgery. But his 2025-26 season is likely done, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, part of the USA TODAY Network.
In his 11 games played this season, Edey averaged 13.6 points,11.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks. He has not played in a game since Dec. 7.
Edey, the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft after a memorable run in that year’s NCAA tournament, averaged 9.2 points and 8.3 rebounds as a rookie for the Grizzlies in 2024-25. He also missed 12 games early in his rookie season due to a left ankle sprain.
The Grizzlies also announced that Brandon Clarke, who has been sidelined since Dec. 20 with a right calf strain, will need further rehab ‘before advancing to the next step’ in his return to the court. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks.