Report: Jazz's Conley to return, come off bench vs. Kings

Utah Jazz point guard Mike Conley will return to the lineup for Saturday's game against the Sacramento Kings, according to Stadium's Shams Charania.

Conley will be on a minutes restriction and come off the bench in his long-awaited return, Charania added.

The 32-year-old has missed all but one of the Jazz's last 20 games after straining his left hamstring in early December. The veteran floor general made an appearance on Dec. 17 following an initial five-game absence, but he re-aggravated the injury and has been sidelined ever since.

It's been a tough campaign for Conley, who was acquired by Utah in the offseason after spending years as a franchise player with the Memphis Grizzlies. Prior to his initial injury, Conley was averaging 13.9 points and 4.6 assists per game while shooting just 36.9% from the field - well below last season's rates of 21.1 points and 6.4 assists per game on 43.8% shooting.

Despite Conley's struggles and injury absences, the Jazz currently sit fourth in the Western Conference at 28-13. The team has gone 15-4 (.789) with Conley out of the lineup and 13-9 (.591) when he's suited up.