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MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 28: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles down the court during a game against the Charlotte Hornets at the FedExForum on November 28, 2016 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Hornets defeated the Grizzlies 104-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 28: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles down the court during a game against the Charlotte Hornets at the FedExForum on November 28, 2016 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Hornets defeated the Grizzlies 104-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Mike Conley Injury Update: Grizzlies PG to Return vs. Kings

Tim DanielsDec 16, 2016

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley is set to return from a back injury to play Friday night against the Sacramento Kings. ย 

Grizzlies PR provided an updated injury report, which confirmed Conley will make his return to game action after missing the team's previous nine contests. Grizzlies PR announced he was officially activated ahead of the game.ย 

The 29-year-old Ohio State product suffered the setback Nov. 28 during a game against the Charlotte Hornets. He left the contest in the third quarter after playing just 20 minutes and did not return.

AJ Neuharth-Keusch and Sam Amickย ofย USA Todayย originally reported the guard was expected to miss at least six weeks while recovering from fractures in his lower back.

In the end, Conley is prepared to make his comeback after less than three weeks.ย Michael Wallaceย of the Grizzlies' official website passed along comments from the floor general about his speedy rehab.

"When you see everyone sacrificing and playing so hard...it makes you want to get out there even more," Conley said. "I can't wait."

The 2007 fourth overall pick started the campaign strong after signing theย richest contract in NBA historyย during the offseason. He was averaging 19.2 points, 5.7 assists and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 46.7 percent from beyond the arc across 17 games.

His 23.14 player efficiency rating ranked eighth in the NBA among point guards, according toย ESPN.

The Grizzlies actually held down the fort quite well in his absence with a 7-2 record.

That doesn't change the long-term outlook when it comes to playing time, however. Conley will see a vast majority of the minutes at the point, with Andrew Harrison moving back into a rotational role.

There's always some additional concern when a player gets back in the lineup so quickly after a seemingly serious issue, especially since Conley's dealt with some injury problems in recent years. Memphis may work him back in slowly as a result, but his return is a nice boost nevertheless.

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