Jazz Provide Injury Updates On Conley, Gay
Nov 29, 2022, 12:52 PM
Mike Conley #11 of the Utah Jazz reacts during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on October 24, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz offered injury updates on veterans Mike Conley and Rudy Gay who have been sidelined over the last several games.
Conley suffered a popliteus strain in his left knee in the Jazz win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, November 19, and hasn’t seen the floor since.
Gay sprained the third MCP joint on his left hand on November 13 against the Philadelphia 76ers and has missed the last eight games.
Conley Back To Running, Shooting After Injury
The Jazz are winless since Conley went down with the injury in Portland. The guard appeared to hyperextend his knee fighting over a screen against the Blazers and missed the remainder of the game.
There is good news on the horizon for the guard who was seen working on his ballhandling and shooting at practice on Tuesday.
Conley will continue the rehabilitation process but is considered day-to-day.
Mike Conley at @utahjazz practice.
The Jazz are 0-5 over their last five games that he’s missed due to a knee strain. #TakeNote | @benshoops pic.twitter.com/1bDIub7dQG
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 29, 2022
The Jazz have missed Conley as evidenced by their 0-5 record in his absence.
The team has struggled to maintain a consistent offensive attack without Conley while inconsistent shooting has plagued the backcourt.
In Monday’s loss to the Chicago Bulls Jordan Clarkson, Talen Horton-Tucker, Malik Beasley, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker combined to shoot 9-38 (23 percent) from the floor including 5-27 (18 percent) from the three-point line.
Conley is averaging 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 0.3 blocks, and 1.2 steals in 29.2 minutes per game for the Jazz this season.
Gay Continues To Rehab
While Conley is considered day-to-day, Gay’s return remains slightly murkier.
According to the Jazz, Gay also continues to work with the ball in his hands and has taken part in portions of practice.
His return is listed as “as tolerable” due to pain and swelling.
Rudy Gay is working on ball handling and shooting and he’s taken parts in portions of practice.
He’s progressions is listed as “as tolerable” with the finger sprain.#TakeNote | @kslsports
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) November 29, 2022
Gay had been a regular off the Jazz bench this season averaging 4.5 points and 3.4 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per contest.
Despite Gay’s modest numbers, he leads the Jazz in plus-minus this season. The Jazz have been 5.7 points per game better than their opponents with Gay on the floor.
The team is 2-6 in Gay’s absence.
The Jazz will retake the floor on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second game of a six-game homestand.
