Zach Edey set to take on Zion Williamson as Grizzlies clash with Pelicans
In a highly anticipated matchup at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, the Memphis Grizzlies are gearing up to face the New Orleans Pelicans, with a key storyline emerging: 7-foot-4 center Zach Edey will be stepping onto the court to help counter the explosive drives of Zion Williamson. This marks the second meeting between the two teams this season, and the Grizzlies are determined to prevent the Pelicans from stringing together consecutive victories.
Injury Report Ahead of the Matchup
Edey, who missed the season opener, returns following a head injury that sidelined him during the Grizzlies’ recent loss to the Denver Nuggets. His presence is crucial, especially with Memphis star Ja Morant still out with a right calf strain.
Here’s the latest on player availability:
Grizzlies Injury Report
Zach Edey: Available – Head/Migraine
Ja Morant: Out – Right Calf Strain
Ty Jerome: Out – Right Calf Strain
Scotty Pippen Jr.: Out – Right Toe Surgery Recovery
Brandon Clarke: Out – Right Knee Surgery Recovery
Javon Small: Out – Left Toe Soreness
Pelicans Injury Report
Dejounte Murray: Out – Right Achilles Rupture
Jordan Poole: Out – Left Quad Strain
Herbert Jones: Out – Right Calf Strain
Karlo Matkovic: Out – Right Calf Strain
Trey Alexander: Available – G League (Two-way)
Game Details and Broadcast Information
The Grizzlies (6-12) are looking to turn their fortunes around against the struggling Pelicans (3-15) in this Southwest Division face-off. This game is the start of a four-game road trip for Memphis, with Edey’s participation being a significant boost for the team.
The matchup is set for Wednesday, November 26, at 7:10 p.m. CST, and will be broadcasted on various platforms:
TV: FanDuel Sports South/FanDuel Sports Southeast (Grizzlies), Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network (Pelicans)
Radio: WMFS-FM (Grizzlies), WWL-FM/AM (Pelicans)
A Look Back at the Season Series
This encounter is the second of four this season, with the teams also scheduled to meet again on January 23 and January 30. In their first clash on October 22, the Grizzlies edged out the Pelicans 128-122, led by a stellar 35-point performance from Morant. The Pelicans, who started the season with six straight losses, currently hold the worst record in the Western Conference.
Historically, Memphis has dominated this matchup, sweeping all four encounters last season and currently riding a four-game winning streak in New Orleans. However, three of the last five games at the Smoothie King Center have gone into overtime, highlighting the competitiveness of this rivalry.
In their last matchup, Williamson showcased his talent, contributing 27 points, nine rebounds, and five assists in the Pelicans’ opening loss. With this victory, the Grizzlies have narrowed the all-time series to 43-44 against New Orleans, a testament to how closely contested these games have been since the Pelicans’ relocation to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Betting Lines and Projections
The betting lines reflect the competitive nature of this matchup:
Spread: Grizzlies -3.5 (-108), Pelicans +3.5 (-112)
Moneyline: Grizzlies -148, Pelicans +124
Total: 235.5 (Over -112, Under -108)
As always, bettors are encouraged to gamble responsibly and seek help if needed.
Projected Starters for Both Teams
Grizzlies
F Jaylen Wells
F Jaren Jackson Jr.
C Zach Edey
G Vince Williams Jr.
G Cedric Coward
Pelicans
F Saddiq Bey
F Zion Williamson
C Deriq Queen
G Jeremiah Fears
G/F Trey Murphy III
Coaching Insights
Pelicans coach James Borrego reflected on his strategic decisions following a successful game against the Bulls, where he opted to start reserves in the second half. “I thought Jose (Alvarado) and Yves (Missi) had some juice in the first half, and I was gonna roll with it into the second half. Those guys responded… I thought we had a good third quarter,” he noted, showcasing his confidence in the depth of his roster.
As the Grizzlies and Pelicans prepare to battle it out, all eyes will be on Edey and Williamson as they look to make their marks on the court.
