MINNEAPOLIS — As the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves enter Game 1 of their final Western Conference series, Mike Conley continues to battle a strained right soleus muscle. He is considered questionable to play in the series opener.
Conley missed Game 5 of the Timberwolves’ Western Conference semifinal series against the Denver Nuggets due to injury, but played in the final two games of the series. He played 38 minutes in Game 7 with 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists, returning to action after two full days off.
“It’s getting better,” Conley said. “When you do these things, if you play 38 minutes, you’re going to be sore for the next few days. If you get enough treatment and get enough rest, like I’ve had the last few days, you’ll feel really good.” Once you get into the game, it’s just another cycle you have to deal with. ”
The risk of further injury or concern depends on whether you avoid certain movements that cause “shock.” The breakdown of the Western Conference Finals schedule is that there is only one day off between games for the entire series, so Conley will need to commit to the efforts of Minnesota’s training staff to be ready.
“Honestly, it depends on me being able to finish the game without having any little setbacks,” Conley said. “You get a real shock from the movement, the pain increases rapidly, and it stays like that for a while.Depending on the match, you can finish the match without giving up.You just keep moving up and moving forward. That’s why I try to have as many days like that as possible.”
Conley remains an integral part of the Timberwolves’ offense as he serves as the floor general, helping Anthony Edwards focus on scoring instead of getting his teammates involved. When Conley isn’t on the floor, opponents can load up Edwards and mix up coverages. Minnesota is 3-4 without Conley in the lineup this season, including one loss in the playoffs against Denver.
“We got Mike Conley back, that’s it … just efficient. He’s always going to make the right play,” Edwards said after Game 6 against the Nuggets. “That’s a big difference. Last game, I was trying to get people involved and be aggressive, but when Mike was playing, I didn’t have to worry about getting people involved. That’s his job.”
In previous situations, including the 2022 playoffs, Dallas has emphasized hunting Conley as a mismatch, primarily for Doncic to take advantage of his size. His durability will definitely be a storyline to watch as the series unfolds.
continue mavericks game day For more information on the Dallas Mavericks throughout the NBA Playoffs, click here.
read more: Key stats heading into the Western Conference Finals: Mavericks vs. Timberwolves
