Mike Conley Injury: Updates on Grizzlies Star's Back and Recovery

Alec NathanNov 29, 2016

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley suffered a back injury against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday and is expected to miss six weeks of action.

Continue for updates.

Latest on Conley's Playing Status

Tuesday, Nov. 29

According to Michael Wallace of Grizzlies.com, Conley suffered multiple fractures in his back that will keep him out for six weeks. He will be re-evaluated after one month. Ronald Tillery of the Commercial Appeal confirmed the injury and reported that Conley is out indefinitely.

Kendall Marshall, Toney Douglas and Will Bynum are expected to visit the Grizzlies for tryouts, per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.

ESPN's Dr. Robert Klapper doesn't believe the injury will present long-term problems for Conley after the recovery window:

Conley battled bumps and bruises throughout the 2015-16 season, including left foot soreness and an internal oblique muscle strain.

However, the biggest blow came when he had to miss the Grizzlies' final 20 regular-season games and their entire first-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs due to an Achilles injury.

But when he was healthy, Conley averaged 15.3 points, 6.1 assists and 1.2 steals before being rewarded with a new five-year, $153 million contract in July.

Since signing that lucrative deal, Conley has averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 44 percent from the field and 46.7 percent from three for a new-look Grizzlies team.

Conley is off to the best start of his career from an offensive perspective, and he is a big reason why the Grizz are a solid 11-7.

Considering Conley is Memphis' conductor, losing him for any stretch of time will be detrimental to the team's efficiency on both ends of the floor. His pick-and-roll savvy and defensive prowess aren't easily replaceable, but it will be up to 2016 first-round pick Wade Baldwin IV to shoulder additional ball-handling duties in the veteran's absence.

It also places more offensive emphasis on center Marc Gasol and free-agent acquisition Chandler Parsons, who figure to be Memphis' go-to players while Conley is out.