Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley has been ruled out for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.
Conley missed Games 4 and 5 of the conference quarters against the Portland Trail Blazers after taking an elbow to the eye socket from Blazers guard C.J. McCollum in Game 3. He called his status day-to-day earlier this week, as he recovers from surgery that placed two metal plates in his face.
Conley was initially listed as doubtful, but there was a glimmer of hope that he'd be able to play when he participated in pregame warmups, masked and in uniform.
The masked Mike Conley has begun to warm up before Game 1 pic.twitter.com/JpgTDOKBui
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) May 3, 2015
But the Grizzlies ultimately decided that it wasn't worth the risk, and will allow Conley additional time to heal. It sounds like he needs it.
Also a lot of pain and discomfort for Conley. Asked by @heydb if this was the most pain he's experienced, he replied "Yes m'am."
— Pete Pranica (@PetePranica) May 3, 2015
Again, much will be placed on the shoulders of backups Beno Udrih and Nick Calathes, with Calathes set to start in Conley's place.
Both of those guys are capable of getting hot and scoring in bunches, but neither is close to displaying Conley's defensive prowess, and neither is likely to present much resistance when facing down the Warriors' flammable guards.
