The Memphis Grizzlies had been without stars Mike Conley and Chandler Parson, nevertheless, they have remained relevant in the tough Western Conference and they are at the top of the league in defensive efficiency. But now Conley has returned and there have been news that Parsons is returning before the year ends, the Grizzlies have nowhere to go but to be better.
Conley was expected to be out until early next year after suffering back injury but he suited up for the Grizzlies last Friday in Memphis' 92-96 loss to the Sacramento Kings. Conley, who signed a historic five-year $153 million contract with the Grizzlies, is still finding his footing as he scored just six points but dished out six assists and had two steals and a block in 29 minutes of play.
Meanwhile, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com, Parsons is expected to return next week after sitting it out against the Kings. Parsons has been out since Nov. 19 after suffering a bone bruise in his left knee.
In a report by Rotoworld.com, the former Dallas Maverick would have to wait for clearance in their game against the Utah Jazz at home on Sunday and against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday.
Luckily, even without the two stars' absence, the Grizzlies have thrived, even recording a league-best 99.4 defensive efficiency rating. In nine games that Conley had been out, the Grizzlies had won seven out of nine games and that may be because of the resurgence of unheralded players like Troy Daniels and veteran point guard Toney Douglas. Daniels is averaging 9.9 points in 21.4 minutes of play while Douglas averages 5.8 points, 2.7 assists, 2.7 rebounds and a steal.
Conley has been having one of his best seasons in his 10-year NBA career before sustaining an injury with a career-high 19.2 points on top of 5.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Parsons, meanwhile, averaged just 7.7 points before his injury.