The Minnesota Timberwolves are set to face elimination on Thursday night, but there’s a silver lining as they anticipate the return of their starting guard, Mike Conley, for Game 6 against the Denver Nuggets, according to The Athletic. Conley, who missed Game 5 due to a calf strain, is expected to be back in action, providing a crucial boost to the Timberwolves’ lineup.
Conley’s absence in Game 5 was felt deeply as the Timberwolves struggled to keep pace with the Nuggets, ultimately losing 112-97. Nikola Jokic led Denver with a commanding 40-point performance, and Minnesota clearly missed Conley’s leadership on the court. The injury occurred late in Game 4, where Conley appeared to have landed awkwardly on Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s foot after attempting a three-pointer.
This is where Mike Conley suffered the injury, per Chris Finch pic.twitter.com/eJ7O1ClivZ
— Jace frederick (@JaceFrederick) May 15, 2024
Conley was close to playing in Game 5, having warmed up before the game, but the Timberwolves opted for caution to prevent aggravating the injury. Head coach Chris Finch commented on the decision, explaining, “That was one of the reasons to be cautious with him right here, didn’t feel like he could go. But maybe in a couple of more days, he could go. Nickeil (Alexander-Walker) did a great job of filling in there in the starting role. It would have been great to have Mike out there and Nickeil off the bench, but we didn’t have that.”
Conley’s return is pivotal for the Timberwolves, as he brings both playmaking and scoring capabilities to the backcourt alongside Anthony Edwards. His veteran presence is instrumental in stabilizing the team’s offense, which has a tendency to become erratic in his absence. Conley is averaging 11.3 points and seven assists per game this season, and his 37.5% shooting from three-point range is particularly valuable for a team that struggled from beyond the arc in Game 5, hitting just 30.8%.
The key concern for the Timberwolves is whether Mike Conley will be fully healthy. If he is close to 100%, his return could significantly enhance Minnesota’s chances against a Nuggets team that has won the last three games of the series. However, if Conley is still hampered by his injury, his presence could be more of a hindrance than a help.
As the Timberwolves prepare for Game 6, all eyes will be on Conley’s performance and his ability to guide the team through this critical elimination game.
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