The injury-riddled Memphis Grizzlies received even more bad news on Saturday, as point guard Mike Conley will miss at least 3-4 weeks with Achilles tendinitis. The Grizzlies announced that he will be re-evaluated after that timeline, so it’s possible he will not return to the court until the playoffs begin on April 16.
Mike Conley will miss at least 3-4 weeks with Achilles injury
There’s a chance the Grizzlies’ point guard doesn’t return to the court until the playoffs.
Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Conley has missed the last two games while battling pain in his left foot, which has been a common ailment for the Grizzlies’ point guard. Plantar fasciitis in his right foot lingered near the end of last regular season and affected him in the playoffs, along with a facial fracture suffered against the Trail Blazers. He has averaged 15.3 points and 6.1 assists in 56 games this season.
Conley’s injury comes at an especially bad time for Memphis, who has suffered a rash of ailments of late. Star center Marc Gasol is already out for the season with a broken foot, and Conley’s backup, Mario Chalmers, suffered a torn Achilles while filling in during Wednesday’s loss to the Celtics.
Zach Randolph has also missed the last three games with a knee injury, while Chris Andersen is out indefinitely with a shoulder injury. The Grizzlies used only nine healthy players in beating the Pelicans on Friday. Options to replace Conley for the time being are very slim.
With Conley and Chalmers out, the Grizzlies were forced to start Briante Weber, who they signed to a 10-day contract less than 24 hours before the game. Weber played a whopping 40 minutes in Friday’s overtime win because the Grizzlies have nobody else at the position.
The Grizzlies are expected to sign former Kings and Spurs point guard Ray McCallum to provide additional depth. Despite the injuries, the Grizzlies are holding steady at 39-26 and fifth place in the Western Conference. That task will become even more difficult without Conley.
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