LAS VEGAS – Three consecutive games in as many nights; three straight outcomes decided on the final possession.
Among many experiences Salt Lake City offered the Grizzlies in their first stint of summer league action was a crash course on late-game execution.
With the scene now shifting to Las Vegas, the Grizzlies look to recover and regroup for another run of developmental lessons when they open play Friday in the NBA2K25 Summer League.
Despite losing two of three games in Salt Lake City, the Grizzlies saw encouraging signs from a group of rookie draft picks and second-year players coming off valuable NBA action last season. The goal is now to build on positive takeaways from Utah and gain some offensive rhythm when Memphis faces its next summer test Friday against the Sacramento Kings.
The Grizzlies will play at least five games in Las Vegas, where all 30 NBA teams will evaluate rookie draft picks, young roster holdovers and aspiring prospects seeking to make the league.
“We’re coming in off three close games, so the learning is there,” Grizzlies summer league coach Jason March said. “Hopefully we get to Vegas and show we’ve learned from these situations. We’ve got to play better all four quarters. Offensively, we’ve got to figure something out (because) it’s not pretty right now.”
Defensively, the Grizzlies kept themselves in every game by forcing turnovers, defending the paint and holding opponents below 20 points in six of the last eight quarters they played in Salt Lake City. On the other end, shooting woes haunted Memphis throughout the week, especially from 3-point range where the team shot just 22.7-percent over three games.
Finding their footing would be significantly aided with the return of their foundational center. Zach Edey, the ninth overall pick in last month’s NBA Draft, missed the last two games in Utah after tweaking an ankle during his impressive debut in Monday’s opening game.
The Grizzlies announced Wednesday that both Edey and third-year forward Jake LaRavia are receiving treatment for “minor” ankle issues and were sidelined as a precaution. Edey and LaRavia combined for 32 points and 22 rebounds in Monday’s 97-95 overtime loss to the Jazz.
Asked specifically about Edey, March suggested a return to action should come at some point in Las Vegas, where games are more spaced out. After Friday’s matchup against the Kings, the Grizzlies have two days off before playing again Monday against the Mavericks.
“We want him on the floor – we want to see what he can do,” March said of Edey, who finished Monday’s game and had 14 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks in 34 minutes. “Obviously, we’re not going to be reckless, that’s for sure. It was a pretty good turn. We’ve got to be smart. I can tell you one thing, (Edey) wants to play. I have a feeling we’re going to see him again.”
Edey showed little if any lingering signs of ankle soreness as he watched Tuesday and Wednesday from the bench in Salt Lake City. The 7-foot-4 big man from Purdue cheered on teammates as fellow rookie Jaylen Wells’ buzzer-beating floater lifted the Grizzlies to Tuesday’s 87-85 win over the 76ers.
And Edey, a two-time NCAA National Player of the Year, was among onlookers who remained on their feet as the Grizzlies’ late rally came up short in Wednesday’s 80-77 loss to Oklahoma City.
Edey’s initial game, as well as his ongoing acclimation process with the Grizzlies this week, have been about establishing a comfort zone with new teammates and coaches on and off the floor.
“That’s just taking on the challenge and trying to make the best of it,” Edey insisted. “It’s been great learning the system, learning to play with everybody and just getting comfortable on the NBA floor. That’s all summer league is about, just getting comfortable at the next level and learning how the Grizzlies play.”
Those lessons are likely to continue in Las Vegas. But the first impression Edey made in Utah left Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins enamored with the dynamic possibilities down the line.
Regardless of his playing status in Las Vegas, Edey is not likely to face a more significant matchup at center than he saw in his debut back in Utah. On Monday, Jenkins looked on as Edey was matched up against third-year Jazz starting center Walker Kessler, a 2022 first-round pick who ranked among the NBA’s leaders in blocks the past two seasons.
Edey outscored and outrebounded the 7-1 Kessler, who was also a member of the Team USA basketball squad that competed in the 2023 FIBA World Cup last summer. One of the highlights of that matchup was an emphatic dunk Edey threw down over Kessler, after which the normally stoic rookie patted his own head and snarled in reaction.
“I wanted that one,” Edey said after the game. “That’s just the competitor in me.”
Jenkins, who spoke on the national television game broadcast this the week, reflected on Edey’s play and the impact he’s expected to have with the Grizzlies this season. One of the main reasons Edey bypassed playing with Team Canada at the Paris Olympics later this month is to best position himself to help the Grizzlies “on opening night.”
And he wasn’t only suggesting opening night of summer league. The goal is to earn a prominent role in the center rotation and play alongside veteran stars Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant and Desmond Bane once the 2024-25 season opens this fall.
“Walker is a phenomenal young big . . . but Zach figured it out,” Jenkins said of his initial evaluation of Edey. “That was a great first test. It’s just that fire he plays with. He’s had an unbelievable career at Purdue. We’re going to try to expand his game a little more, stretch him to guard the perimeter a little bit more because he’s got that competitive fire in him. He’s got so many qualities we really love in our bigs, and he’s going to be a great addition to our group.”
Teammates have embraced Edey from all spectrums. That process includes loquacious and fun-loving forward GG Jackson recently taking Edey out to a popular downtown Memphis sushi spot. It’s also involved reserve center Trey Jemison taking Edey into the post for key pointers.
“I try to bring out the positive energy,” GG Jackson said of interacting with the normally reserved Edey. “I feel like he’s getting comfortable around us. You can tell he doesn’t let all of the accolades get to his head. That’s the great thing about Zach.”
Jemison agreed.
“It’s just about sharing with him different stuff that’s ultimately going to help all of us,” said Jemison, who played in all three games in Salt Lake City. “It’s stuff like being a pro, taking care of your body, stretching. The NBA is different. These post-ups, screen-setting and boxing out are way different from college. Just sharing with Zach that kind of thing and it’s kicking in, for sure.”
The Grizzlies carry two objectives from Utah into the Las Vegas portion of summer league.
Continue to build on Edey’s rapid development and comfort, on and off the court.
And take advantage of closing opportunities in games they left open in Salt Lake City.