Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley, originally expected to miss 6-8 weeks with a back injury suffered Nov. 28, will return to Memphis’ lineup for Friday night’s game against the Kings at FedEx Forum.
Game day focus!
— Mike Conley (@mconley11) December 16, 2016
The Vertical reported Thursday that Conley’s return was imminent, and that the Grizzlies had to waive guard Toney Douglas — signed under the NBA’s hardship waiver — to make room for Conley, as well as Chandler Parsons and James Ennis, who are also close to returning from injuries.
The Grizzlies signed Conley this summer to the largest contract in league history — a five-year deal worth $153 million. Before being sidelined by the transverse process fracture sustained Nov. 28 against the Hornets, Conley was off to his best career start, averaging 19.2 points and 5.7 assists.
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Conley has a history of playing through pain and returning to action sooner than expected. Friday night, he will try to help the Grizzlies beat their former coach Dave Joerger, who is now in charge of the Kings.