PORTLAND, Ore. — Memphis guard Mike Conley will not play Monday night in Game 4 of the Grizzlies’ playoff series with the Portland Trail Blazers because of a facial injury.
The team said Sunday that Conley was returning to Memphis for additional evaluation.
Conley left Saturday night’s Game 3 in the third quarter after he appeared to be caught inadvertently by Portland guard CJ McCollum’s elbow while going after the ball.
Conley fell to his hands and knees and stayed there for several moments before team trainers guided him to the locker room with a towel to his face. TV cameras caught blood spots on the towel.
The Grizzlies said he was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation, but he did not stay the night.
The Grizzlies withstood a Portland rally in the fourth quarter for a 115-109 victory to take a 3-0 series lead. Conley had 14 points before he was injured.
Conley later posted to Twitter: “Proud of my guys for stepping up! Huge win tonight. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers. I will be fine!”
Conley, in his eighth NBA season, is averaging 16 points in the series. He averaged 15.8 points and 5.4 assists in the regular season.
The Grizzlies were also playing without reserve point guard Beno Udrih, who was a late scratch with a sprained right ankle.
Udrih said after practice on Sunday that he plans to play on Monday night.
Missing Udrih on Saturday night, the Grizzlies turned to Nick Calathes, who is in his second season. Calathes finished with 13 points and three assists.
“For Nick to just be ready like that is big,” Memphis forward Zach Randolph said. “This league is about being ready, so when your number is called you should already be ready. That’s what I’ve been telling the young fellas.”
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