Zach Edey Undergoes Elbow Surgery, Grizzlies Eliminated

Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey is making headlines for all the wrong reasons in March 2026. The promising young big man has now undergone two separate surgical procedures — on his ankle and his elbow — effectively wiping out his entire sophomore NBA season. To compound the misery, the Grizzlies were officially eliminated from playoff contention on March 25 after a blowout loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Here is everything you need to know about Edey's injury timeline, what it means for the Grizzlies, and what comes next.

Zach Edey's Elbow Surgery: What Happened on March 24

On March 24, 2026, Zach Edey underwent a surgical procedure to address lingering discomfort in his left elbow. The procedure was reported by CBS Sports on March 25, adding another chapter to what has become a frustrating injury saga for the 7-foot-4 Canadian center.

The elbow surgery came less than four weeks after Edey had already gone under the knife for a separate issue. On March 3, he underwent ankle surgery to resolve ongoing discomfort and bone stress in his left ankle — a procedure that had already ruled him out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. The elbow issue, which had been producing lingering discomfort, required its own corrective procedure to ensure Edey enters next season fully healthy.

The encouraging news: the Grizzlies expect Edey to make a full recovery from both procedures before the start of training camp in the fall of 2026. That means, barring any setbacks, Memphis should have their starting center available and ready for a full season in 2026-27.

A Season Derailed: Edey's Injury Timeline

The 2025-26 season was supposed to be a breakout year for Zach Edey. Instead, it became a lesson in the brutal unpredictability of professional sports injuries. Here is how the season unraveled:

• Early season (through mid-December 2025): Edey appeared in 11 games and showed flashes of why Memphis was so high on him, averaging 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.1 assists, and 0.6 steals per game while shooting an eye-popping 63.3 percent from the field.
• Mid-December 2025: Edey was shut down due to an emerging ankle issue. At the time, it was unclear how serious the problem was.
• March 3, 2026: The Grizzlies announced Edey had undergone ankle surgery, ruling him out for the rest of the season. Memphis also shut down Ja Morant and Brandon Clarke around the same period, signaling a full pivot toward the offseason.
• March 24, 2026: Edey undergoes a second procedure — this time on his left elbow — to address separate lingering discomfort.

Two surgeries in less than four weeks is a significant physical toll for any player, let alone a 22-year-old still establishing himself at the NBA level. The silver lining is that both procedures were described as addressing "lingering discomfort" rather than acute traumatic injuries, suggesting the medical team is being proactive rather than reactive.

What Edey's Numbers Show About His Potential

Despite appearing in just 11 games this season, Edey's production offered a compelling preview of what Memphis is working with. His 63.3 field goal percentage ranked among the league's best for players who logged meaningful minutes, and his 11.1 rebounds per game demonstrated the elite rim presence that made him a coveted prospect coming out of Purdue.

The 1.9 blocks per game average is particularly noteworthy. Rim protection at that level is increasingly rare in the modern NBA, and it is one of the primary reasons Memphis views Edey as a foundational piece rather than a depth option. His combination of size, touch around the basket, and defensive instincts gives the Grizzlies a profile they have been lacking.

At 63.3 percent shooting, Edey also demonstrated that he does not need a complex offensive role to be effective. He finishes at the rim, catches lobs, and converts in the short roll — exactly the kind of complementary offensive player that thrives alongside a primary ball-handler like Ja Morant.

The 11-game sample size is too small to draw firm conclusions, but it is large enough to confirm that Edey's college dominance — he was the most decorated big man in recent college basketball history — was not a product of competition level alone.

Grizzlies Eliminated from Playoffs: What Went Wrong in 2025-26

On March 25, 2026, the Memphis Grizzlies were officially eliminated from NBA postseason contention following a 123-98 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The defeat dropped Memphis to 24-48 on the season, making a playoff berth mathematically impossible.

The Spurs, sitting at 55-18, were in a different stratosphere — a dominant team built around their own core assets. For Memphis, the loss was less about the scoreline and more about what it confirmed: 2025-26 was a lost year.

Injuries were the defining story. Ja Morant, the franchise centerpiece, was also shut down for the season, fueling speculation about the franchise's direction. Brandon Clarke, another key rotation piece, was similarly unavailable. When your two most important players — Morant and Edey — are both sidelined for extended stretches, a losing record is almost inevitable.

The Grizzlies are now locked into the NBA draft lottery, giving them a chance to add another high-end prospect to a roster that, when fully healthy, has legitimate upside. Memphis at 24-48 will have favorable lottery odds, and a high pick could accelerate their rebuild significantly.

Looking Ahead: Why the Grizzlies Still Have Reason for Optimism

It would be easy to view the 2025-26 season as purely a disaster for Memphis. But the organization's long-term outlook is not as bleak as the record suggests. Here is why:

• Edey's recovery timeline is clean. Both procedures are expected to resolve cleanly, with a full return projected before training camp. A healthy Edey in 2026-27 changes the team's defensive identity and interior depth immediately.
• The Grizzlies view Edey as their starting center going forward. This is not a team hedging on a rotational player — Memphis has publicly committed to building around the big man, which signals organizational confidence in his development.
• Draft lottery position. At 24-48, Memphis enters the lottery with real odds at a top pick. Adding a high-ceiling prospect to a roster that already has Morant and Edey gives them three potential cornerstones.
• Youth is on their side. Edey is 22. Morant is 26. These are not aging veterans — they are players who, if healthy, can anchor a competitive team for years.

The Grizzlies have been in rebuild mode before and emerged as a legitimate playoff contender. The infrastructure for another run is there — it just requires health and a bit of lottery luck.

Frequently Asked Questions About Zach Edey's Surgeries

What surgery did Zach Edey have on March 24, 2026?

Zach Edey underwent a procedure on his left elbow to address lingering discomfort. The surgery was performed on March 24, 2026, and was reported by CBS Sports the following day.

Will Zach Edey be ready for the 2026-27 NBA season?

Yes. The Memphis Grizzlies expect Edey to make a full recovery from both his ankle and elbow procedures before the start of training camp. Barring any setbacks, he is expected to be the team's starting center heading into 2026-27.

How many games did Zach Edey play in 2025-26?

Edey appeared in 11 games before being shut down in mid-December 2025 due to his ankle issue. In those 11 games, he averaged 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, and shot 63.3 percent from the field.

Are the Memphis Grizzlies eliminated from the 2026 playoffs?

Yes. The Grizzlies were officially eliminated from postseason contention on March 25, 2026, following a 123-98 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Memphis finished with a 24-48 record and will participate in the NBA draft lottery.

What is Zach Edey's role in the Grizzlies' future plans?

The Grizzlies view Edey as a key building block and plan for him to serve as their starting center in the 2026-27 season. Despite the injury-plagued sophomore year, the organization remains committed to building around him alongside Ja Morant.

Conclusion

Zach Edey's 2025-26 season will be remembered as a painful exercise in what could have been. Two surgeries, 11 games, and a team eliminated from playoff contention — on paper, it reads as a failure. But the underlying story is more nuanced. The procedures appear proactive, his recovery timeline is favorable, and the numbers he posted before going down confirmed he belongs at this level.

For Memphis, the path forward requires health above all else. A fully healthy Edey paired with a returning Ja Morant — plus whatever the draft lottery delivers — gives the franchise a legitimate core to build around. The 2025-26 season was a lost year, but it does not have to define what comes next. All eyes will be on training camp 2026 to see if the Grizzlies can finally put the pieces together.