For the first time in his career, Mike Conley took the court at FedEx Forum as a playoff nemesis.
The Utah Jazz guard spent his first 12 NBA seasons as a franchise pillar for the Memphis Grizzlies; lining up against his successor, Ja Morant, in the place he called home for so many years was almost an unthinkable experience.
"It's amazing to be playing against a guy like Ja, first off," Conley said after the Jazz's 121-111 Game 3 win, according to ESPN's Nick Friedell. "Just seeing a guy that's so talented, he's a young superstar in the league, wearing the jersey that I'm so used to wearing. Getting the cheers from the crowd that I'm so used to hearing. It's surreal. It's like full circle. You never thought that it would be this way. I never did, at least.
"It's like sometimes you live long enough to become the villain, and I've become that for the Memphis Grizzlies now. Just got to take that in stride, continue to do what I do and have fun with that, have fun with the game."
Conley had another impressive showing Saturday, pouring in 27 points, eight assists, and six boards in 36 minutes of action. He was clinical in the pick-and-roll, solid on the defensive end, and helped the Jazz hold off the Grizzlies' late charge with seven points and three assists in the fourth quarter.
The former No. 4 overall pick is averaging 23 points and 11.3 assists while also shooting 50% on nearly nine 3-point attempts per game during the first round.
"I remember his first game back here: mentally he was all over the place," said Jazz star Donovan Mitchell. "And rightfully so. It's an emotional moment for him. But to be back here competing against Ja, who's like - you got the OG and then you got the young guy. I think that's pretty dope. It's a dope story, but for him, he's competing. He's doing his thing on both ends of the floor. And both of these guys are taking the challenge head-on. That's why I love Mike; that's why we love Mike."
