The Memphis Grizzlies will be without Mike Conley for quite some time.
After a collision in the third quarter of Memphis’ 104-85 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night, it was determined that the star point guard suffered a traverse process fracture in his back, which is expected to sideline him for least six weeks, the team announced Tuesday.
This news was particularly troubling as Conley was off to an All-Star caliber season. The 10-year veteran had averaged 19.2 points and 5.7 assists per game, while leading Memphis to a 11-7 record, good for fifth-best in the Western Conference.
This is hardly the first loss for the Grizzlies this season. Chandler Parsons and Brandon Wright remain out with knee and ankle injuries, respectively, and two-time All-Star Zach Randolph is not with the team as he grieves the passing of his mother.
Memphis and Conley first made headlines before the season even started. Back in July, the Grizzlies inked the Ohio State product to a five-year, $153 million contract, the richest deal in league history.
In Conley’s absence, the team could turn to rookie Wayne Baldwin IV, the Grizzlies’ first-round pick (17th overall) in this year’s draft.
Thumbnail photo via Nelson Chenault/USA TODAY Sports Images
