The Memphis Grizzlies will have floor general Mike Conley Jr. at their disposal much earlier than anticipated, as the team announced he will play tonight against the Sacramento Kings.
Conley is only two-and-a-half weeks removed from suffering transverse process fractures in his lower back on Nov. 28, at which point team doctors gave a four-to-six week estimate for his recovery.
The 6-foot-1 point guard resumed basketball activities in efforts to make an earlier comeback than expected. The team announced in its official Twitter account that Conley would be active and would play, but the Ohio State alum told reporters that he still needed to be evaluated prior to the game.
“Tonight I'll be re-evaluated,” Conley told reporters after going through shootaround. “Hopefully, I'll have the opportunity to play. We'll see.”
It's official – team sources confirm that Mike Conley will be listed as active and is playing tonight vs Sacramento.
— Chris Vernon (@ChrisVernonShow) December 16, 2016
This isn't the first time the Grizzlies guard has had his will tested, as he came back from an orbital bone fracture during last season's playoffs.
Memphis made two roster moves on Thursday to clear the way for Conley's return. The team said veteran point guard Toney Douglas, who was acquired on Dec. 5, was waived and rookie point guard Wade Baldwin IV has been re-assigned to the franchise's D-League affiliate.
Conley was putting up career-best numbers prior to his injury when he collided with Frank Kaminsky III after taking a charge. Mike Conley signed a five-year, $153 million deal with the Grizzlies this offseason — the largest contract in NBA history.
He's averaged a career-high 19.2 points along with 5.7 assists in 17 games for the 18-9 Grizzlies.
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