Is Zach Edey playing tonight vs LA Clippers? Latest on Grizzlies center's status for Summer League game (July 21)

Memphis Grizzlies rookie Zach Edey is questionable leading into his team’s matchup against the LA Clippers on Sunday. The former Purdue star sprained his right ankle after landing on the foot of New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Ford three nights ago. Edey limped into the locker room after playing just nine minutes and did not return.

Edey also sprained his left ankle on July 8 in the Grizzlies’ Salt Lake City Summer League game versus the Philadelphia 76ers. Before his appearance against New Orleans, he had missed his team’s five previous exhibition games.

Edey is expected to play a key role for Memphis next season. It remains to be seen if he will play again in the Las Vegas Summer League.

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What happened to Zach Edey?

Zach Edey sprained his right ankle with a little over three minutes left in the second quarter of the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the New Orleans Pelicans. The 7-foot-4 big man was defending a pick-and-roll that Jordan Ford had orchestrated.

When Edey backed up a little to prevent a lob, Ford hoisted up a floater. The No. 9 pick in this year’s draft chased after the high-arching that eventually went in. Edey’s right foot landed on Ford, causing the sprained ankle.

The former two-time NCAA College Player of the Year winner writhed in pain as Grizzlies trainers rushed to him. He stood up with a little help from the training staff before limping to the locker room.

In Edey’s only game where he was healthy, he was nearly unstoppable. He went up against Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz and finished with 14 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks and the shot that forced overtime. The Memphis Grizzlies’ priority will be to get him healthy, making his appearance iffy on Sunday.

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When will Zach Edey return?

If Zach Edey doesn’t get the green light to play on Sunday, he should be fully healthy to start training camp. He should be ready to play in the Memphis Grizzlies’ preseason games.

Edey’s health will be crucial for Memphis as they are thin at center. Trey Jemison, on a two-way contract, played that role last season in the Grizzlies’ injury-ravaged campaign. Coach Taylor Jenkins’ other options are Santi Aldama and Jaren Jackson Jr. if he wants to play small ball.

Zach Edey will be key for them as he provides them with elite rebounding and shot-blocking. As a lob threat, he will make Ja Morant’s life a little easier on offense. The Memphis Grizzlies just have to make sure he is healthy to open the season.