The Memphis Grizzlies and their fans are watching with bated breath.
Center Zach Eddy, the ninth pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, had a scare when he awkwardly twisted his ankle during a summer league game on Thursday.
Eddy was jumping into the air to block a shot near the basket when he landed on guard Jordan Ford's foot, twisting his right ankle the wrong way. Eddy lay on the floor for a moment before being helped to his feet by teammates.
Those in the room could see and hear Eddie's frustration: “Damn it, I just want to play,” the former Purdue star said, according to Grizzlies host Jessica Benson.
The Grizzlies ruled Eddie out for the rest of the game, and after receiving treatment in the locker room, the 7-foot-4 big man stood on the sideline with ice on his ankle, but didn't appear to be in too bad a condition.
After missing just two games in four college seasons, Eddie was suddenly as hard as glass.
Eddie had a stellar performance in his summer league debut but left early with an ankle injury, did not play in the Grizzlies' next game on July 17, returned the next day but was on the brink of reinjury.
The team has remained largely quiet about the status of their top-10 pick, and that could simply be out of caution, but with injury scares coming up just every few days, it also raises the question of why the Grizzlies are letting Eddie play in meaningless summer league games.
Eddie is the favorite (+600) to win the 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year Award, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
