Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey has everything it takes to be one of the NBA’s most dominant big men. At 7-foot-3 and over 290 pounds, he controls the paint. His mountain-esque size is complemented by scintillating skill, from hovering hook shots to precise passes. For these reasons, even people who aren’t fans of the Grizzlies are anxiously awaiting his return from an ankle injury that’s kept him sidelined since December.

Much to hoops fans’ dismay, the Grizzlies most recent update on Edey’s health didn’t say is return was imminent. Instead, they revealed that the 2024-25 All-Rookie selection will be out for at least six more weeks due to a stress reaction in his left ankle. For a player that missed the start of the 2025-26 season due to an offseason ankle injury, the news makes sense. Nonetheless, it’s concerning, especially as he missed 12 consecutive games early in his rookie season after spraining his left ankle against the Denver Nuggets. In 2024, Edey sprained his left and right ankle in two separate Summer League games.

How Big Of A Concern Is Grizzlies Big Man Zach Edey’s Health?

The best way to determine whether Edey’s injuries should be a significant concern for the Grizzlies is to analyze the careers of players who’ve been in a similar situation.

The Tale Of The Tape

Bill Walton

In 1981, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tony Daly told the New York Times that Bill Walton‘s career was over at 28 years old. His evaluation came soon after Walton underwent foot surgery “to alleviate pain… that was affecting his normal lifestyle.” The former first overall pick had already undergone procedures to repair a broken foot, bone spurs in his feet and broken toes.

“‘I don’t think he’s going to play anymore,” Dr. Daly said by telephone from his office in Inglewood, Calif. ”I think he’s accepted it, and the Clippers have accepted it.”

Miraculously, Walton opted for a radical surgery that extended his playing days. After sitting out for the 1980-81 and 1981-82 seasons, he returned to the court in 1982-83. However, his performance steadily declined, leading to him losing his status as a full-time starter. By the 1985-86 season, he was coming off the bench behind a 32-year-old Robert Parish. After playing just 10 games the next season, his career effectively came to a merciful end.

Yao Ming

While Walton’s story is more tragic than triumphant, he was able to last much longer than fellow Hall of Fame center Yao Ming did after his foot injuries. In April 2006, Ming broke his left foot during a regular season game against the Utah Jazz. In Feb. 2008, he sustained a stress fracture in his left foot. Then, in May 2009, he sustained a hairline fracture in his left foot in a playoff game against the Los Angeles Lakers. That December, he was diagnosed with what turned out to be a career-ending stress fracture in his right ankle.

Joel Embiid

The player whose career mirrors Walton or Ming’s most closely today is arguably Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid.

Prior to this season, he’d only played in 452 regular season games despite being drafted in 2014. That equates to about 41 games played per season since he entered the NBA. With that in mind, he missed the entirety of his first two seasons with a broken bone in his right foot. However, his biggest issue since then has been managing a meniscus injury caused by Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga going for a loose ball. That bolsters the idea that Edey can go on to have a successful, if not impressive, career despite his injury history.

Alperen Sengun

In a way, so does Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun. A rising star in the NBA, Sengun has battled with ankle injuries throughout his career. Yet, he’s played at least 72 games in every season but one (not counting the Rockets’ ongoing 2025-26 campaign).  His ankle is “still not 100 percent. It’s not going to be 100 percent for a while. But (he’s) played through this all (his) life,” Sengun reveals, per Yahoo Sports reporter Kelly Iko.

Jalen Brunson

Of course, it’s not just big men who are affected by persistent foot and ankle injuries.

For example, New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson has sustained myriad foot injuries. He was even forced to exit his last game with a non-contact right ankle sprain. It’s the second time he’s sustained that injury this season, having missed two games in mid-November because of a right ankle sprain. In 2024-25, he was sidelined for 15 straight games due to a right ankle sprain and his foot continued to be his Achilles heel during the postseason.

Keeping that in perspective, Brunson’s first recorded foot injury (in the NBA) occurred on Nov. 26, 2021. The next time he was diagnosed with a foot injury was Dec. 13, 2022. Subsequent foot injuries would be assessed on March 8 and March 10, 2023. On May 1, 2023, he would have his first recorded ankle injury (at the NBA level). Soon after, he was determined to have suffered ankle injuries on Dec. 10, 2023 and Feb. 6, 2024.

Stephen Curry

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry is another player known to have chronic ankle injuries. A four-time NBA champion who’s undoubtedly the greatest shooter in NBA history, he needs no introduction. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that he’s played in at least 63 games in all but four of his previous 16 seasons.

The Last Word On Zach Edey’s Long-Term Health

Walton, Ming, Sengun, Embiid, Brunson and Curry provide anecdotal evidence of the ability to dominate despite a long-standing injury. Right now, there’s too much time left on the clock to know which way Edey’s career will go. Still, there’s reason to remain optimistic about his playing future, even if he does eventually find himself back on the operating table.