Zach Edey Shines in Second NBA Game as Memphis Grizzlies Defeat Toronto Raptors
In his second appearance at Scotiabank Arena, seven-foot-four rookie Zach Edey contributed to a significant victory for the Memphis Grizzlies, who defeated the Toronto Raptors 118-102 on Monday night. Edey tallied eight points and grabbed nine rebounds, showcasing his potential in a key match-up at his hometown venue.
This game marked Edey’s first return to the Raptors’ home arena since an injury sidelined him for a previous meeting last season. Despite the absence of a large contingent of friends and family this time around, the experience remained special for the young athlete.
“Two years ago, I had about two sections,” Edey humorously reflected after the game, commenting on the reduced demand for tickets compared to his rookie season in 2024-25.
Personal Connection to the Game
Although his personal audience has decreased, Edey expressed that the feeling of playing against his hometown team is still exhilarating. “It’s crazy. I don’t know how else to put it,” he said. “I didn’t get to play here last year, but I’ve been here twice now. It’s always a lot of fun to come home and hear the anthem and get into the atmosphere again.”
Performance and Impact on Team
Now at 24 years old, Edey has been averaging 8.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and an assist per game this season. His presence on the court played a pivotal role in helping Memphis out-rebound the Raptors 44-34 on Monday night.
Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo praised Edey’s influence beyond individual statistics. “It doesn’t always show up on the box score, but his impact is felt every night,” Iisalo noted. “If you look at the tape, you’ll see that the opponent is very paranoid about Zach getting open looks, and it opens up opportunities for our guards.”
A Bright Future Ahead
Edey’s collegiate resume includes an impressive average of 18.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 1.3 assists during his four seasons with the Purdue Boilermakers. Notably, he twice received the Naismith Award, becoming only the third male player to achieve this honor consecutively, following in the footsteps of legends Ralph Sampson and Bill Walton.
Despite these accolades, Edey believes there’s still room for improvement in his NBA performance. “I’m going to keep working,” he stated resolutely. “I’m going to continue doing what I think is the best way to play basketball.”
Chief Editor of Quincy City Beat — Quincy, MA's independent investigative newspaper covering Greater Boston and the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts with fearless public accountability and free access for all readers.
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