Mike Conley Out vs. Thunder Due to Eye Injury

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley is out for Wednesday's matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com.

Conley suffered the eye injury in Tuesday's game against the San Antonio Spurs and did not return to the overtime loss.  

Some NBA followers expressed skepticism in the offseason after Grizzlies re-signed Conley for a little more than $152 million over five years. However, the 29-year-old has responded with his best season in the NBA, as he entered Tuesday averaging 20.5 points and 6.4 assists per contest in 65 games.

Early on in his career year, Conley suffered fractures in his vertebrae during Memphis' Nov. 28 matchup against the Charlotte Hornets. It was another setback for a player who has dealt with various injury issues over the last three years.

Conley returned earlier than expected, appearing in the Grizzlies' Dec. 16 loss to the Sacramento Kings.

The 10-year veteran is perhaps Memphis' most important player, even more so than Marc Gasol. That is a testament to Conley's impact on both ends of the floor, but it's also reflective of how the Grizzlies lack another proven point guard on the roster.

Head coach David Fizdale will have to rely on Andrew Harrison and Wade Baldwin IV to run the offense for as long as Conley remains sidelined. Both players are in their rookie seasons in the NBA, which isn't ideal for a team with playoff aspirations in a tough Western Conference.

For more news, rumors and related stories about Mike Conley, the Memphis Grizzlies and the NBA we recommend checking out the NBA and Grizzlies streams on Bleacher Report's app.