Zach Edey on Grizzlies’ loss to Pacers, ovation from Purdue fans
The Grizzlies center posted five points, 11 rebounds and one blocm in his return to Indiana in a 127-113 loss to the Pacers.
- The Memphis Grizzlies have won five of their last six games, improving after a difficult start to the season.
- Zach Edey set career highs with 32 points and five blocks in a recent win against the Sacramento Kings.
- The Grizzlies are 5-3 since Edey returned from offseason ankle surgery.
The feelings around the Memphis Grizzlies are gradually getting better with each performance.
After a troublesome start to the season — one that included a stretch of nine losses in 10 games — the Grizzlies seem to have found a winning formula.
They were tested again on the road, this time against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. The Grizzlies passed, winning 115-107.
They now have won five of their past six games. All of the wins have come against teams with records under .500, but as Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo likes to say, the process is more important than the results.
That process in recent games has showcased a team playing with more energy on both ends of the court and benefiting from the additions of key returning players.
Here is how players with stops in Indiana have helped the Grizzlies put together their first three-game winning streak of the season.
Former Purdue basketball star Zach Edey shows dominance in NBA
The importance of former Purdue basketball star Zach Edey, while never doubted, is becoming more noticeable with each win. The big man has brought a force that was missing before he made his season debut Nov. 15.
Edey finished with 32 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks against the Kings (5-16). The scoring and block totals were both career highs. He’s only the third Grizzlies player in franchise history to record at least 30 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks in a game, joining Zach Randolph and Pau Gasol. That’s pretty good company.
Memphis (9-12) looked in control in Edey’s minutes on the floor. When he was off, the Kings erased nine- and 13-point Grizzlies leads. Edey finished plus-25 in 29 minutes.
Memphis is 5-3 since Edey returned from offseason ankle surgery.
Former La Lumiere player Jaren Jackson Jr. shuts the door
Former La Lumiere player Jaren Jackson Jr. hasn’t had his most dominant season, but his past two games have been positive signs. In both, he saved his best basketball for the fourth quarter.
Jackson finished with 13 points, six rebounds and five assists in the fourth quarter, he scored six points and was a plus-15 after being minus-7 through three quarters.
Memphis has needed Jackson’s aggressiveness and creativity as an offensive scorer in the fourth quarter, and he’s sensing that.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
