NBA teams
Michael Wallace, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Mike Conley nursing sprained ankles

NBA, Memphis Grizzlies

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley has two sprained ankles, one walking boot and no solid time frame for when he expects to return to the court.

Conley missed his first game of the season in Friday's 106-96 victory against the Orlando Magic and sat out Saturday's home game against Portland as he continues to deal with swelling and discomfort in both ankles.

Conley sprained his right ankle when he inadvertently stepped on a baseline photographer during Wednesday's win in Brooklyn. He had already been playing while nursing a slight sprain in his left ankle, an injury he suffered in last week's double-overtime win against Phoenix.

The injuries to Memphis' assists leader and second-leading scorer come at a critical time as the team tries to build chemistry with forward Jeff Green, who was acquired in a trade earlier this week with Boston that sent veteran Tayshaun Prince and a first-round pick to the Celtics.

"Obviously, you don't want to miss too much time because we just got Jeff and we want to build some momentum going into the All-Star break," Conley said Friday. "So I'm going to try to get back as soon as I can. I'm going to say day-to-day right now. I don't know my limits yet, but I know there's still pain."

Conley went through a light conditioning workout on the court and in the weight room before Friday's game, and then received treatment while in the locker room during it. He left Amway Arena with his right foot in a walking boot, having switched it over from his left foot entering the Brooklyn game.

There is a deeper level of concern with the right ankle because it's the one Conley injured exactly a year ago and sidelined him for two weeks after he had gotten off to the best statistical start of his career. The eight-year veteran dealt with bouts of soreness for most of the remainder of the season.

"So that's the one I worry about more than anything," Conley said of the right ankle. "That's the one I want to get taken care of."

Conley had started the previous 38 games this season and is averaging 17.9 points and 6.1 assists while shooting a career-high 46 percent from the field and 43 percent from 3-point range. Backup point guard Beno Udrih started in place of Conley on Friday and had 15 points and five assists as part of the team's traditional balanced attack that saw six players score in double figures.

Memphis coach Dave Joerger sounded optimistic about Conley's prospects to return soon, but also said the team has faced challenges of being without key players. Zach Randolph missed several games earlier this season with a knee injury, and Joerger also pointed out a stretch Marc Gasol missed last season.

"When any of those core guys that have been together a long time goes down, it's difficult," Joerger said. "We're not the same. But I thought Beno and Nick [Calathes] stepped up and played pretty well."

The Grizzlies (28-11) entered Friday with the third-best record in the West behind Golden State and Portland, and are trying to remain among the top four teams in the conference to assure home-court advantage in the playoffs. But Conley is taking a cautious approach to avoid ankle issues that could linger throughout the season.

"Hopefully it won't be too much longer," Conley said of wearing the walking boot. "It's feeling a little better today, so [Saturday], I may be moving around a little more. I can't tell you any more than that."

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