‘Full Go’ For Mike Conley Tonight Against New Orleans Pelicans
Dec 13, 2022, 5:38 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 – In his pregame media availability, Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy said that point guard Mike Conley will not have a minutes restriction in tonight’s game.
The Jazz host the New Orleans Pelicans in the first of two straight between the two at Vivint Arena on Tuesday, December 13. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. (MST).
Will Hardy said Mike Conley is a full go tonight, they’ll monitor him but no set minutes restriction.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) December 14, 2022
Conley missed nine game after the guard hyperextended his knee while fighting over a screen against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 19. His return coincided with the loss of guard Collin Sexton to a hamstring injury.
RELATED: Utah Jazz Guard Collin Sexton Suffers ‘Mild’ Hamstring Strain
The guard out of Ohio State has played one game since returning, scoring 19 points and finishing with six assists in 24 minutes in a loss to Minnesota.
On the season, Conley is averaging 10.6 points and 7.8 assists in 18 games. He averaged 29 minutes per game prior to the injury.
Markkanen Returns, Sexton Remains Out
The Jazz will be closer to whole with the return of Markkanen to the lineup.
Coach Will Hardy hasn’t had his full complement of players available in nearly a month. Not since Mike Conley was injured on November 19 in Portland have the Jazz enjoyed their full compliment of players.
Conley missed nine games before returning to the lineup in Friday’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Markkanen and Conley, the Jazz two most important players, haven’t shared the floor for the last 11 games.
The team is just 3-8 during the stretch.
The @utahjazz injury report for tomorrow night against the @PelicansNBA.
OUT – Simone Fontecchio (left ankle sprain)
OUT – Collin Sexton (right hamstring strain)
OUT – Johnny Juzang (G League – Two-Way)
OUT – Micah Potter (G League – Two-Way)
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) December 12, 2022
Guard Collin Sexton left the team’s win over the Golden State Warriors on December 7th with a hamstring strain and will be reexamined this week.
Sexton and rookie Simone Fontecchio will miss the front end of the two-game series with the Pelicans.
Best In The West: New Orleans Pelicans
Once thought to be a sleeper in the West, the Pelicans no longer catch any opponent by surprise.
New Orleans owns the best record in the West at 18-8, and the third-best record in the NBA overall.
snow day?
game day!⏰ 7 PM MT
📍 @vivintarena
📺 @ATTSportsNetRM
📻 @KSLSportsZone
🎟 https://t.co/AUr8Ssw086#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/a8XlJv5dmf— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 13, 2022
The return of Zion Williamson after missing all of last season has been critical for the Pelicans. The former number-one overall pick is averaging 25.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists while shooting 60 percent from the floor.
Williamson’s return has allowed the Pelicans to survive the absence of Brandon Ingram who will miss his 12th game of the season so far.
Ingram left the Pelicans lineup with a toe injury in a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on November 25th, but New Orleans hasn’t lost since.
The Pelicans are 9-2 overall this year when Ingram doesn’t suit up.
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Utah Jazz vs. New Orleans Pelicans Broadcast
The Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans game is being televised on AT&T SportsNet and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. It can also be streamed on DirecTV Stream and FuboTV.
