Memphis without Mike Conley after medical injury against Celtics

Conley suffered a non-contact injury

Although the Grizzlies lost against the Boston Celtics, Memphis fans something to celebrate when the team’s top scorer Mike Conley returned to the game after twisting his ankle.

During the third quarter of the Celtic game, Conley fell to the floor with a non-contact injury after trying to create space against Avery Bradley. It appeared that he had turned both his ankle and knee. He was carried off the court by teammates and not expected to return to the game. However, Conley returned to the bench with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter. Although he had sprained his ankle, he was able to walk on it. Allowing Grizzlies fans to breathe a sigh of relief.

Conley checked back into the game a few minutes after returning to the bench and although he favored his uninjured leg, he was making a difference, but the Celtics are an Eastern Conference team that isn’t going to make it into the playoffs.

It would have made more sense to rest Conley, which the team did against the Washington Wizards on Thursday.  The Memphis Grizzlies are in second place in the Western Conference standings.

According to Chip Crain, contributor to 3 shades of blue blog, “The Grizzlies are resting against an Eastern Conference team, I’m sure, because they still have to play the Clippers two more times, the Blazers again, the Spurs again, the Mavericks again, and another against the Pelicans. They have a brutal schedule coming up against Western Conference foes and they’ve been beaten up.”

Conley’s continued medical claims advice has been a source of concern since his return from the All-Star Break. According to the Grizzly Bear Blues, Conley’s “moves have looked labored, his speed nonexistent and he has relied heavily on his jump shot.”

Conley has been an integral part of the Grizzlies team, but doesn’t have much widespread name recognition outside of Memphis. In 2016, however, he is eligible to become a free agent and that would bring more recognition to the point guard. As long as his health holds out, of course.