NBA
Will Mike Conley play Game 5 for the Timberwolves? Injury update
The Wolves starting guard has missed one game during the postseason but has been dealing with a muscle issue throughout the series.
One last roll of the dice for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who must win tonight’s matchup at the Target Center or face being eliminated by the Mavericks. The Mavs lead 3-1 heading into Game 5 with a place in this year’s NBA finals within grasp.
Conley nursing a calf muscle injury
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch will be waiting to see whether starting guard Mike Conley is fit to play. Conley has featured on the Wolves’ injury list in every game of this series and the last two of the previous round while struggling to shake off a strain to his right calf muscle (soleus). Out of the 15 games the team has played during the postseason, the 36-year-old has sat out just one - he was ruled out of Game 5 against the Denver Nuggets as to not aggravate his leg injury. The veteran guard is averaging 11.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists with 39.7% shooting from beyond the arc - second only to Jaden McDaniels, on 42.3%.
Conley has been listed as ‘Questionable’ on the Wolves’ injury report, which means he has a has a 50/50 chance of playing. Bearing in mind he has appeared as questionable ahead of other games during the series, there is a strong likelihood that he will start tonight against Dallas.
This is the Arkansan guard’s second shot at the conference finals - he missed out with the Grizzlies, losing to the Spurs in 2013, and his dream of winning his first championship is slowly ebbing away. He has another year to run on his contract with the Timberwolves so this could be his last chance. Still in the memory is how Conley rimmed out a three-point buzzer beater in Game 7 of the Jazz’s first round clash with the Nuggets. Tonight could be his last chance at glory.
The Timberwoles host the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 at the Target Center in Minneapolis tonight, Thursday, May 30 with the game tipping off at 8:30 p.m. EDT. If the Timberwolves win Game 5, both teams will return to Dallas for Game 6 on Saturday evening (8:30 p.m. EDT).