Grizzlies' Mike Conley ruled out for Game 1 vs. Warriors
Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley was ruled out for Sunday's Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Golden State Warriors.
Conley will travel with the Grizzlies for the first two games of the series in Oakland, Calif., but coach Dave Joerger was unsure of Conley's availability prior to Sunday.
Conley sustained multiple facial fractures in Game 3 of the Grizzlies' opening-round series. He took an elbow from Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum and had surgery Monday.
The Grizzlies had said the swelling around Conley's eye, visible when he attended the team's series-clinching win Wednesday, must subside before he can be fitted for a protective mask. He was seen wearing such a mask in warmups before Sunday's game.
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Over the three games he played last series, Conley averaged 16.0 points, 3.7 assists and 1.7 rebounds in 26.3 minutes. He shot 50% from the floor, 37.5% from three-point range and 90% from the free-throw line.
- Mike Fiammetta