18-year veteran Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley has battled through a difficult 2024/25 season, but is finally rounding into form just in time for the playoffs, writes Chris Hine of The Star Tribune.
Minnesota is currently 1-1 in its first round playoff series against Los Angeles.
“This season has been one of the toughest ones I’ve had to deal with,” Conley said. “Obviously, a lot of expectation coming into the season after the year we had, myself included, to not be feeling the best to start the season and not playing the best — those combinations are not good together.”
Since the summer, Conley has been hampered by a left wrist injury. The former All-Star asserts that the ailment will eventually need to be repaired surgically. When all is said and done. He is in the first year of a two-season, $20.8MM deal. Conley also dislocated his finger around the All-Star break.
“In the health part, it was like, am I ever gonna get my wrist right?” Conley said. “Or am I ever gonna get feeling the same where I can hold the ball again correctly, or, not feel pain? And stuff like that. Those are all questions that were staying in my head. Once that went away, the game started to slowly come back together and it’s easier to be confident when you know you’re not feeling something crazy every time you flick your wrist or dribble the ball or play defense.”
There’s more out of the Northwest Division:
- Despite two inefficient nights from All-NBA Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City obliterated Memphis in both instances. For now, he’s connecting on just 32.6% shooting from the field. Gilgeous-Alexander celebrated his team’s depth in the wake of his underwhelming performances, writes Tim MacMahon of ESPN. “I feel like I’m getting looks I usually make and just missing them,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “That’s part of basketball. It’s ups and downs, makes and misses. Because my team is really good, we’ve won two games by a decent margin. They’ve had my back these last two nights. Hopefully, I pick it up soon.” In Game 2, All-Gilgeous-Alexander logged 27 points in Game 2, but went just 10-of-29 from the field. Star forward Jalen Williams stepped up with 24 points, while big man Chet Holmgren notched 20.
- Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. is considered questionable to suit up for Game 3 of Denver’s 1-1 series with the Clippers due to a left shoulder sprain. Per Bennett Durando of The Denver Post, interim head coach David Adelman is hopeful that the 6’10” vet will be available. “I’m very optimistic, because I don’t think he gets enough credit for how tough he is, what he’s played through over these years,” Adelman said. “His pain threshold is something that people don’t understand. … So, do I know if Mike’s going to play? No. But I do know if Mike can play, he will.” Porter hurt his shoulder with 1:35 remaining in regulation, forcing Adelman to once again close with sixth man guard Russell Westbrook.
- The Trail Blazers recently opted to extend both GM Joe Cronin and coach Chauncey Billups thanks to a surprisingly solid 36-46 season. Now, Portland is considered a team to watch heading into the offseason, per longtime NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
Um Alex, why is “Portland considered a team to watch heading into the offseason?”
You’re just going to make the statement without developing the thought?
Well what’s the use of that and what’s the benefit of putting that in your article above?
“Yeah, Portland is a team to watch this off-season. Thanks have a great day.”
That makes no sense.
Could you at least give us a clue what’s behind the paywall and supply some information in regards to your statement ?
I think we’d all appreciate it instead of getting teased by a statement with no way of getting the additional information without paying for a subscription to a website.