Zach Edey Joins Rare Company as Grizzlies Push Win Streak to Three

On a Sunday night filled with urgency for both teams, the Memphis Grizzlies found the dominant presence they needed in rookie center Zach Edey. Memphis earned a 115–107 win over the Sacramento Kings, a result driven by Edey’s commanding play on both ends of the floor. The young center not only anchored the victory but also delivered numbers rarely seen from a first-year player.

Edey finished the night with 32 points, 17 rebounds, five blocks, and 80% shooting — a stat line that immediately drew national attention. According to Marc Stein, the 23-year-old became the youngest player since Shaquille O’Neal to reach that combination, placing him in exclusive company. For a rookie still adjusting to NBA pace and physicality, the moment underscored just how quickly he is rising.

From tipoff forward, Memphis fed off his presence. Sacramento tried different defensive looks and personnel combinations, but Edey consistently dictated position, tempo, and scoring opportunities in the paint. His discipline around the rim and awareness defensively allowed the Grizzlies to control the interior despite steady pressure from the Kings.

As Memphis extended its winning streak and Sacramento slipped to a third straight defeat, the tone of the night belonged unmistakably to Edey. His poise, production, and growth signaled a performance that resonated far beyond the box score.

1. A Historic Night for the Rookie Center

Edey’s dominance began early and never wavered. Memphis trusted him with repeated touches inside, and he established deep post position with striking consistency. His soft hooks and quick finishes seemed unbothered by Sacramento’s attempts to speed him up or force uncomfortable angles. His 80% shooting reflected both efficiency and patience, traits often missing from young bigs adjusting to NBA traffic. On the defensive end, his timing stood out as much as his volume. The five blocks changed Sacramento’s decision-making, discouraging dribble penetration and altering the Kings’ shot selection late in the game. His rebounds — 17 in total — helped eliminate second-chance opportunities and initiated cleaner offensive sequences for Memphis. The comparison to Shaquille O’Neal didn’t come from style, but from impact and rarity. The last time a player this young posted numbers across scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking at this scale, O’Neal was beginning his own ascent in the early 1990s. Edey’s performance added his name to a category that speaks less to hype and more to historic precedent. For Memphis, the night felt like a glimpse of what their frontcourt could become as Edey develops.

2. Stabilizing Force Behind Memphis’ Winning Stretch

The Grizzlies entered the matchup riding modest momentum, and Edey’s breakout effort helped sustain and strengthen it. His presence altered the rhythm of the game from the inside out, allowing Memphis to establish a more deliberate offensive flow. When he controlled the paint, the floor spacing improved, and the team found balance in its half-court sets. Defensively, his rim protection tightened the structure behind the perimeter. Guards pressed higher knowing Edey could erase mistakes at the rim, and the Grizzlies controlled key stretches of the game with disciplined positioning. Multiple late rebounds shut down potential Sacramento surges and gave Memphis control of the closing minutes. This win, their third in a row, also marked a stark contrast to some of the early-season struggles Memphis faced. With injuries impacting rotations and chemistry still forming, performances like Edey’s offer the kind of reliability that lifts pressure from the rest of the roster. As the Grizzlies inch closer to .500, the emergence of a dependable interior anchor provides a meaningful source of optimism.

3. A Nod to NBA History — And What Comes Next

Shaquille O’Neal’s game on November 20, 1993 — 24 points, 28 rebounds, 15 blocks — remains embedded in league mythology. While Edey’s stat line wasn’t a replication, reaching similar statistical territory at a comparable age carries significance. Few rookies step into the league with the ability to shift a game physically, and fewer still find themselves linked with Hall of Fame benchmarks this early. Edey did not set out to chase history, but his performance placed him there nonetheless. His impact came from fundamentals: positioning, touch, timing, and the composure of someone unfazed by pressure or venue. That is the foundation the Grizzlies were hoping for when they invested in his development. The natural question now becomes what this trajectory looks like as the season progresses. If this level of performance emerges more consistently, Memphis could see its internal dynamics shift — from relying on youthful promise to leaning on an ascending cornerstone. For a team seeking identity and stability, Edey’s landmark showing offers both a spark and a blueprint for what the future might hold.