Grizzlies’ Mike Conley to have season-ending surgery

Memphis-Grizzlies-guard-Mike-Conley

Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley, left, is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin while driving to the basket, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Michael Owen Baker/AP)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Grizzlies say guard Mike Conley will have season-ending surgery to smooth a bone in his left heel and is expected to return healthy for next season’s training camp.

The Grizzlies made the announcement Saturday, hours after New Orleans Pelicans centre DeMarcus Cousins seriously hurt his left Achilles tendon.

Conley has not played since Nov. 13 after starting 12 of Memphis’ first 14 games this season. The Grizzlies announced Nov. 17 that Conley was out indefinitely with a sore left heal and Achilles tendon. Conley averaged 17.1 points, 2.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists over 31.1 minutes in his 11th NBA season. He has been playing an average of 31.1 minutes each game.

The Grizzlies wrote Jan. 18 on Twitter that Conley had started playing 3-on-3 with teammates.

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