Mike Conley ‘frustrated’ about latest hamstring tweak
The Utah Jazz point guard said he will get an MRI Thursday morning and hopes to be ready by the next series.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz fans Bryan Schiller, left, and Josh Willard get ready to take in Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brothers Gabe, 7, left, and Isaac Harrington, 8, pose for a photo as they get ready to attend Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT with the Jazz taking on the Memphis Grizzlies.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) A small memorial for former Jazz player Mark Eaton is erected on the Jazz note in front of Vivint Smart Home Arena on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, before the start of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) A small memorial for former Jazz player Mark Eaton is erected on the Jazz note in front of Vivint Smart Home Arena on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, before the start of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Seinfeld family including Zach, dad Roy, Jake and Ben, from left, pose for a photograph before the start of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Fans pose for photos before the start of Game 5 against the Memphis Grizzlies of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Team T-shirt colors are stretched over seats before the start of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT, as they take on the Memphis Grizzlies.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) warms up with the team before the start of Game 5 against the Memphis Grizzlies in their NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Young Jazz fans get ready to take in Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23) puts the pressure on Memphis Grizzlies guard Grayson Allen (3) in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23) puts the pressure on Memphis Grizzlies guard Grayson Allen (3) in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) defends Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas (17) in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) gets upended in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) tries to block Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas (17) tries to block Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic (44) in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) tries to move past the Jazz defense in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) lays one up past Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas (17) in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23) goes up for a jump ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Grayson Allen (3) in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) tries to block Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune)Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23) puts the block on Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23) celebrates a three pointer in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Georges Niang (31) knocks the ball out of the hands of Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) tries to get past the wingspan of Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23) is fouled by Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) gets tangled in the Memphis defense in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates his shot in the final seconds of the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) battles Memphis for the rebound in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz center Derrick Favors (15) and Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23) help Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) off the floor in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT, against the Memphis Grizzlies.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) opts for another choice as Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) defends in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) is cheered by fans after shooting a three pointer in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) dunks over the Memphis defense in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Joe Ingles (2) passes to an open teammate in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23) celebrates a basket in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) chases down a ball in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) nails the three pointer in the finals seconds of the first half over Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) in Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) celebrates their 126-110 win over Memphis to advance in the playoffs following Game 5 of their NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) is congratulated by Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) and Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) following the Jazz 126-110 to close out Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates their 126-110 win over Memphis to advance in the playoffs following Game 5 of their NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates their teams 126-110 win over Memphis as Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) congratulates him following the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates their 126-110 win over Memphis to advance in the playoffs following Game 5 of their NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates their 126-110 win over Memphis to advance in the playoffs following Game 5 of their NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates with teammates in the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) try to double up on Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) in the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) try to double up on Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) in the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) pushes past Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) in the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT.
The Utah Jazz gave a thorough shellacking to the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 5 and advanced to the second round of the NBA Playoffs. But the story coming out of the game is Mike Conley’s health.
Conley didn’t come back after halftime due to right hamstring soreness. He said postgame that he felt “frustrated” about the injury and that he will get an MRI Thursday morning.
“It’s something that I’ve worked tirelessly — kind of night and day — on and put a lot of effort into it,” Conley said. “Showing up early, staying late, strengthening, running, conditioning, everything. It’s just one of those things. You don’t know when it’ll happen or why it happens. It just does.”
Conley said that after the first quarter, he felt “a little tug” in his hamstring but decided to play through it. Once he felt it getting more sore as the game went on, he left the game and started treatment.
Conley added that some discomfort subsided with treatment, but he didn’t reenter the game due to the big lead the Jazz had over the Grizzlies.
Conley played in just 51 of the Jazz’s 72 regular-season games this year, either due to right hamstring soreness, or injury management associated with it. He missed nine consecutive games down the stretch with the same hamstring problem, before returning for the team’s final two regular-season games and all five first-round playoff games.
“For me it’s never been like a true hamstring pull where it just knocks you out,” Conley said. “It’s just like a small tweak that’s just enough to cause discomfort and worry some folks.”
The Jazz have some time before facing the winner of series between the L.A. Clippers and Dallas Mavericks, which will go at least six games. Fans might want that series to go the distance so Conley can get extra rest and rehabilitation on his hamstring.
While it’s not certain, Conley intimated that he plans to play once the second round starts.
“My mindset is I’m going to be ready to play,” Conley said. “That’s kind of the visual I put in front of myself. I’m going to be ready. But at the same time, we’re going to see what happens in the next few days and be smart about how we approach it going into this next series.”
In just under 12 minutes, Conley scored seven points and added two assists in Game 5.