Zach Edey’s Big Night Propels Grizzlies Over Kings 115-107
In the heart of Sacramento, under the bright lights of the Golden 1 Center, a giant awoke. Zach Edey, the Grizzlies’ colossal sophomore, didn’t just play a basketball game on Sunday night; he carved his name into the floorboards with a performance that echoed through the arena long after the final buzzer. Memphis, riding a modest two-game win streak but still finding its identity without the electric Ja Morant, walked into a lion’s den and tamed the Kings, 115-107, on the back of their towering force of nature.
This wasn’t just a win for the Grizzlies; it was a statement. A declaration that even when undermanned, they possess a power that few teams in the league can counter. And that power wears number 14 and stands 7-foot-4.
The Edey Effect: A Career Night for the Grizzlies’ Big Man
From the opening tip, there was a palpable sense that this was Edey’s night. He moved with a purpose that belied his sophomore status, establishing his territory in the paint like a man planting a flag on conquered land. The Kings threw bodies at him—Drew Eubanks, Precious Achiuwa—but it was like throwing pebbles at a mountain. Edey was relentless, a force of gravity pulling down every rebound and finishing with an unstoppable touch around the rim.
He finished the night with a career-high 32 points on an almost unbelievable 16-of-20 shooting, ripping down 17 rebounds in the process. It was a statistical masterpiece, a line that jumps off the box score and demands your attention. It was the way he dominated. The visceral power of his post moves, the sheer will as he battled for position, and the quiet intensity in his eyes that said, “This is my paint.”
“We just had no answer for him,” a visibly frustrated Malik Monk admitted after the game. And they didn’t. Every time the Kings seemed to claw their way back, Edey was there to slam the door.
A Game of Runs and a Fourth-Quarter Grizzlies Masterclass
For a while, it seemed like the Kings’ firepower might just be enough. After trailing by 13 in the third quarter, Sacramento roared back, fueled by the veteran savvy of DeMar DeRozan (23 points) and the explosive scoring of Malik Monk (21 points). They closed the third on a high, taking an 87-83 lead into the final frame and sending the 15,901 fans into a frenzy. The momentum had swung, and the Grizzlies looked vulnerable.
But then, the fourth quarter began, and Memphis unleashed a storm. They ripped off a brutal 14-2 run to start the period, snatching the lead and the life out of the building. The ball movement was crisp, the defense was suffocating, and the poise was remarkable for such a young squad. Cam Spencer, cool as you like, drilled key shots on his way to 16 points, while fellow sophomore Jaylen Wells added a crucial 15 points, looking every bit the seasoned veteran.
With the game hanging in the balance, trailing 101-99, who did the Grizzlies turn to? The man of the hour. Zach Edey scored six of the team’s most critical points down the stretch, sealing the victory and cementing his legendary performance. It was a showcase of clutch play that silenced the Sacramento faithful and sent a clear message to the rest of the NBA: the future of the Memphis Grizzlies is very, very big.
This third straight victory feels different. It’s a win forged in resilience and powered by the emergence of a truly special talent. As the Grizzlies head home, they do so not just with another win, but with the thrilling, undeniable knowledge that in Zach Edey, they have a game-changing force. The league has been put on notice.
