NBA Notes: Grizzlies, Zach Edey, Mavericks, Kyrie Irving, Pelicans, Jeremiah Fears

Grizzlies

Grizzlies center Zach Edey didn’t play much this season. But when he did? He produced.

Edey said this week he was encouraged by what he showed across 11 games, averaging 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in just under 26 minutes per night. Memphis went 7-4 in those appearances.

“I showed who I can be,” he said, via Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

Still, it didn’t feel like much of a season. Health got in the way.

“Every game it kind of got a little worse,” Edey said of his ankle. “My first few games, I didn’t feel it at all. Then I may have pushed it too much… Toward the end of that stretch, it started giving me problems.”

That led to a second surgery on his left ankle. He also had a procedure on his left elbow in March, though he downplayed that one.

“Just a little clean-up,” Edey said. “I’ve had some problems with my elbow since middle school… I figured I might as well just get it cleaned up while I have this boot on my foot.”

Bottom line? A short season. But enough to show something.

Mavericks

Kyrie Irving hasn’t played in a year. Still making an impact, as reported by Mike Curtis of the Dallas Morning Journal.

The Mavericks guard continues to recover from a torn ACL, but his presence around the team hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“He sees when guys are in their heads,” teammate Daniel Gafford said. “He’s taking all of his experience, all of his game knowledge and he’s giving it to the younger generation.”

That matters. Especially for a team navigating a turbulent season.

Irving remains under contract for 2026/27, with a player option for 2027/28.

Pelicans

It hasn’t been the season the Pelicans wanted, but there’s at least one bright spot.

Rookie Jeremiah Fears continues to show growth, most recently dropping 40 points in a win over Utah — setting a new franchise rookie record.

“I’m really just proud of his growth,” interim coach James Borrego said, via Rod Walker of NOLA.com. “From training camp to where he’s at today, he’s taken a massive step.”

That hasn’t gone unnoticed internally. 

“This franchise is in a really good place because of players like him. Fantastic.”

Not everything has gone right in New Orleans. But this? Something to build on.