The Memphis Grizzlies are in a pretty good position in the Western Conference Playoffs. They lead 3-0 against a bruised and injured Portland Trail Blazers team who seem like they are about to get swept on Monday night. Despite things looking good for the Grizzlies to advance to the next round tonight, they are in trouble with their leading point guard Mike Conley.
In game 3, Mike Conley left the game with an injury to the face, after being hit by C.J. McCollum. Conley left the game and was later hospitalized. Today, the Grizzlies announced that he had successful facial surgery to fix the fractures in his face.
According to NBA.com’s Scott Howard-Cooper:
“The Grizzlies will be without Mike Conley for at least one game and possibly longer after the starting point guard returned to Memphis and will undergo surgery Monday to repair multiple fractures in his facial bones, according to TNT’s Lewis Johnson.
There was no immediate prognosis on how long he could be out, the team said, only that he will be missing as the Grizzlies try to close out the Trail Blazers in Game 4 of the first round Monday night at Moda Center.
Beno Udrih, who did not play Saturday because of a sprained right ankle, said after practice Sunday he will play, at least providing additional depth at the position after the loss of Conley, one of the Memphis emotional leaders as well as an integral player on the court.”
Adrian Wojnarowski also chimed in on the Conley situation:
Sources: Once swelling subsides on Mike Conley's face in 48 hours, Memphis will have clearer idea on timeframe for possible playoff return.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) April 27, 2015
If the Memphis Grizzlies do sweep the Trail Blazers tonight, they will have enough time to determine where Conley stands for the next matchup against the Golden State Warriors. Conley is crucial to the Memphis Grizzlies season, especially against their next match up against the Warriors, and Stephen Curry.
