Zach Edey is set to be available when the Memphis Grizzlies meet the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night, a welcome update for a Memphis front line that has gone without him since early December.
Edey has been out of action for a stretch, but the 7-footer showed plenty in his limited run last season. In 11 games, he put up 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 63.3 percent from the field and 78.1 percent at the line. He has also had two separate left ankle procedures since Memphis took him with the No. 9 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
The Magic will be short-handed. Jalen Suggs is out with an illness, Anthony Black is sidelined by an ankle issue, and Noah Penda and Jonathan Isaac will also miss the game, with Penda dealing with a hamstring injury and Isaac out for personal reasons.
Tipoff is set for Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 7:00 p.m. CST at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. The game will be carried on 92.9 FM ESPN Radio in Memphis, 96.9 FM The Game, and the Magic Radio Network in Orlando.
This is a preseason matchup between two teams that split their season series last year. Memphis owns a 32-27 all-time regular-season edge over Orlando, including a 22-8 mark at home and 10-19 on the road.
Memphis is rebuilding around Cameron Boozer, while Orlando is aiming for better health this season from Franz Wagner.
After the Grizzlies’ preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks, point guard Ty Jerome said the pace picked up once Memphis settled in.
"After the first few minutes we started playing with much better pace. Getting some stops helped us so we could get out and run a little more. We did a good job of playing fast, finding the matchups we like, spread the ball, everyone got some shots, we looked all right."
He added, "We want to try to get down the court fast. That doesn't mean force a fast shot, but you know, you see what you like and then play different actions as fast as possible too."
Jerome also pointed to the training camp emphasis on tempo and ball security.
"That was an emphasis of training camp, run the floor, getting up and down, everyone being aggressive but trying to get good shots and taking care of the ball. We had some sloppy possessions here and there, myself included, and I think we'll fix that as we keep going."
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