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Memphis Grizzlies: 5 Things To Watch For With Mike Conley Out

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 28, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) is injured on a play in the third quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at FedExForum. Charlotte defeated Memphis 104-85. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) is injured on a play in the third quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at FedExForum. Charlotte defeated Memphis 104-85. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Memphis Grizzlies
Nov 18, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons (25) motions to the Dallas Mavericks bench after making a three point basket during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Grizzlies defeat the Mavericks 80-64. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Other Returns Will Be Key

Putting all the expectations on two first-year players would be unfair, however, since the Grizzlies are also hurting on other areas of the floor when it comes to the injury bug.

Zach Randolph isn’t injured, but he’s missed the team’s last three games due to the death of his mother. He’s entitled to take as much time as he needs to be there for his family, but there’s no question Memphis’ bench will be overjoyed to have him back since Z-Bo looks like a Sixth Man of the Year candidate, averaging 14.2 points and 7.9 rebounds in just 22.3 minutes per game.

Randolph will be back sooner rather than later, but the injured players on the roster might not be able to say the same. The key absence is Chandler Parsons, who has already missed 12 games due to a lingering knee injury.

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Ex-Grizzlies guard opens up on desired landing spots for 2023-24 season
Ex-Grizzlies guard opens up on desired landing spots for 2023-24 season /

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    • The Grizz took a great risk by signing Parsons to a four-year, $98.5 million contract, and so far the oft-injured wing hasn’t made anyone feel good about the decision. Aside from missing so much time already, Parsons has only averaged 7.7 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in his six appearances, shooting 39.1 percent from the field and 23.8 percent from downtown.

    The Grizzlies could certainly use his playmaking and three-point touch, since both of those are bound to improve on the stat sheet once he gets healthy and acclimated. Parsons will be reevaluated soon, but there’s no word on a return date just yet.

    Memphis still hasn’t seen much of what Brandan Wright can do either, since an ankle procedure about two weeks ago gave him a recovery time of two months. Wright also missed all but 12 games last year with the Grizz due to a knee injury.

    Finally, there’s James Ennis, a backup wing who is currently sidelined due to a calf strain. Ennis was averaging 9.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game on semi-efficient shooting splits of .442/.341/.806 before missing the team’s last four games. He was given an expected recovery time of two weeks.

    Conley would’ve been a devastating loss no matter when this injury occurred, but with Z-Bo, Parsons, Wright and Ennis all sidelined as well, the Grizzlies need some sort of divine intervention for all their injured players to return as soon as possible.

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