As the Minnesota Timberwolves gear up for the postseason, veteran point guard Mike Conley finds himself at a familiar crossroads. With a long and illustrious career spanning multiple franchises, Conley has faced the intense pressure of playoff success before, and his experience will be crucial for the Wolves as they navigate the treacherous waters of the NBA playoffs.
Conley’s playoff pedigree is undeniable. He has played in 78 postseason games, averaging 35.
In a high-stakes matchup with playoff seeding implications, the Denver Nuggets firmly established their dominance, securing the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference with a commanding 126-111 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. This win not only tied the franchise record for most wins in a season but also propelled head coach Michael Malone to the second-winningest coach in Nuggets history.
The game’s narrative was shaped by the electrifying performances of several Nuggets players, with Jamal Murray leading the charge with 21 points, while Nikola Jokic delivered yet another double-double masterclass, tallying 15 points and 15 rebounds.
Amidst the chaos and uncertainty that has plagued the Memphis Grizzlies’ roster this season, a glimmer of hope emerged in the form of Lamar Stevens’ return from injury. The 25-year-old forward, who had been sidelined for six games due to an adductor injury, took the court against the Denver Nuggets on Monday night and delivered a standout performance, leading his team with 19 points in a losing effort.
Stevens’ stat line was impressive: 6-of-10 shooting from the field, a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line, and a well-rounded contribution of three rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
The Memphis Grizzlies received a boost as forward Brandon Clarke is nearing a return to action after missing the entire 2023-24 NBA season due to an Achilles tendon injury. Clarke, who turned 27 last month, was listed as doubtful for the Grizzlies’ Monday night game against the Denver Nuggets, marking the first time he has been anything other than out on the injury report.
Clarke suffered the devastating Achilles tear on March 3, 2023, during a game against the very same Nuggets squad.
The Memphis Grizzlies could be shorthanded when they take on the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night, as promising young forward Jake LaRavia is questionable to play due to an illness.
LaRavia, the 19th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, was a late addition to the Grizzlies’ injury report on Thursday. While the nature and severity of his illness is unknown, his potential absence would be another blow to a Memphis team already dealing with numerous injuries.
In a pivotal NBA matchup, the Sacramento Kings secured a hard-fought 121-111 overtime victory against the Memphis Grizzlies, but the win came at a potential cost. Kings guard Kevin Huerter was forced to exit the game early after sustaining a concerning left shoulder injury.
The incident occurred just 1:51 into the opening quarter when Huerter went up for a layup attempt. As he elevated, Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane made contact with Huerter’s left arm, causing him to crash to the floor.
