Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Conley's gutsy performance dooms Warriors
Share This Post
Comments
Wednesday, May 6, 2015 - 12:00am
Follow @kkurzcsn

OAKLAND -– After his fearless performance in a Game 2 win over Golden State on Tuesday night, the Grizzlies’ Mike Conley admitted that he was getting pushed and pulled in different directions as to whether he should play so soon after a serious facial injury.

The push was likely coming from some teammates, who sorely missed their point guard’s presence in a decisive Game 1 loss. The pull was coming from his parents, who believed that the 27-year-old should wait a little longer before putting himself at risk again.

A game-high 22-point effort, including nine first-quarter points and a key three-pointer in the closing minutes, and Conley’s parents are probably just fine with their son’s gutsy decision.

“I had to tell my mom and dad, no, I'm playing regardless,” Conley said. “But, I think they're happy at the end of the day. They support me.”

Hitting his first four shots of the night was an ideal start.

[POOLE: Instant Replay: Sloppy Warriors fall to Grizzlies in Game 2] 

“I didn't expect to come out and score 22 points or anything like that,” he said. “I just wanted to come out and do what I do for the team. Run the team, take advantage of what I see. I was aggressive early, and I had some good looks, and that really did me well for my confidence.”

His teammates were pleased, too, as the Grizzlies simply have no shot at upsetting the top-seeded Warriors without their floor general in the lineup. Now, they’ve gained the home court advantage by becoming the first visiting team to win at Oracle Arena since Jan. 27.

Not only were Conley’s efforts on the court appreciated, but that he was willing to play just eight days after a couple plates and several screws were inserted into his face around his left eye area served as an emotional boost, too.

“He’s showing that he’s all in. He’s giving himself up for the team,” Courtney Lee said. “What better captain to have for your team than a guy like that? Everybody just falls into place after that.”

Coach Dave Joerger said: “He's a great player, great human being. … I think it's just the thing in the NBA that we want to promote as a league. He's a high‑character guy. He plays the right way, doesn't flop around, flail around and complain around. He just plays. Just a high amount of respect for how classy he carries himself.”

There was a scary play in the second quarter. Conley drove the ball towards the net, lost his footing, and was signaling for a timeout with 4:58 to go before halftime. The Warriors’ Draymond Green pounced on the ball despite Conley’s pleas to the ref to stop the clock, and whacked Conley in the side of the face, which was partially guarded by a protective mask.

Conley was visibly shaken. He took a few moments to get back to his feet, but was no worse for wear as the game progressed. His biggest basket came with 2:11 to go in the fourth quarter, when a three-pointer gave the Grizzlies a 10-point cushion and sent the home fans to the exits.

[RATTO: Warriors brought back to reality by Conley, Grizzlies in Game 2]

“Mike’s a warrior, man. He had to fight through pain, obviously you see him out there. He’s fighting,” Tony Allen said. “It didn’t surprise me that he kept playing.”

Conley said he hadn’t seen a replay of the incident with Green, so didn’t have an opinion on if the play was clean.

Regardless, he’ll get three full days off to recover from any added discomfort before the series resumes in Memphis on Saturday. After it was difficult for him to watch Game 1 from the sidelines, he’s sure to play a major role for the remainder of what is now legitimately a series.

“For us as professional athletes, this is what we look forward to,” Conley said. “To play at the highest level against the best teams and the best players, that's what we have an opportunity [to do] right now here playing against Golden State, the best team in the league.

“I hated that I had to miss Game 1, but I think I made the right decision, and I was able to do all right tonight.”

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Curry: 'If we don't play our best game,' Grizzlies can win in Oracle
Bogut: Game 4 'doesn't mean anything going into Game 5'
Sandoval sums up first trip to Bay Area since leaving Giants
Semien: 'Trust my ability, figure out' defensive woes

Giants

Report: Tulowitzki could seek trade from Rockies
LIVE: Giants vs. Astros
Giants CHAT with Insider Alex Pavlovic -- NOW (5.13.15)
Giants lineup: McGehee at third, Duffy at second vs. lefty
Read More

Athletics

Instant Replay: Gray dominant, but A's blanked by Red Sox
Timetable for Zobrist's rehab assignment coming into focus
Joe Stiglich's A's CHAT transcript (5.13.15)
A's lineup: Vogt out, Canha at first
Read More

Sharks

Lightning finish off Canadiens, await Rangers-Caps winner
Perry's OT goal sends Ducks to conference finals
Report: McLellan interviews with Oilers, talks gaining steam
Sharks owner Plattner offers rare public comments
Read More

49ers

Levi’s Stadium finalist for awards, including ‘Venue of the Year’
Baalke: Kaepernick developing chemistry with Reggie Bush
Numbers game: 49ers rookies issued jerseys
Matt Maiocco's 49ers chat transcript (5.12.15)
Read More

Raiders

Report: Raiders placed claim on safety DJ Swearinger
Del Rio: Raiders will play with 'calculated, controlled' swagger
Raiders rookies assigned jersey numbers
Raiders sign seventh-round picks Debose, Morris
Read More

Warriors

NBA Gameday: Can Warriors' defense stifle Grizzlies again?
Grizzlies' Tony Allen a game-time decision for Game 5
Draymond explains what makes Warriors 'kind of unstoppable'
Bogut guarding Grizzlies' Allen changed Game 4 for Warriors
Read More

NCAA

Harbaugh, Michigan self-report four minor NCAA violations
Michael Williams named Director of Athletics at Cal
Report: Cal to promote interim AD Williams to full-time job
Cal cuts ties with coach caught in prostitution sting
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Amy G
  • Insider Alex Pavlovic
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

Report: Tulowitzki could seek trade from Rockies
CSN Bay Area staff

GIANTS VIDEO

Sandoval sums up first trip to Bay Area since leaving Giants
Sandoval sums up first trip to Bay Area since leaving Giants
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Giants CHAT with Insider Alex Pavlovic -- NOW (5.13.15)
  • Rewind: Heston, Duffy keep leading way for Giants
  • Instant Replay: Heston, Duffy fuel Giants in win over Astros
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Instant Replay: Gray dominant, but A's blanked by Red Sox
(3)
Joe Stiglich

A's VIDEO

Semien: 'Trust my ability, figure out' defensive woes
Semien: 'Trust my ability, figure out' defensive woes
See more >

A's INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Lightning finish off Canadiens, await Rangers-Caps winner
(1)
Associated Press

SHARKS VIDEO

Hasso Plattner: Sharks will win 'at least one' Cup at SAP
Hasso Plattner: Sharks will win 'at least one' Cup at SAP
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Grizzlies' Conley 'exhausted' following Game 4 loss
  • Grizzlies not going to 'put their heads down'
  • Sharks owner Plattner offers rare public comments
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

NBA Gameday: Can Warriors' defense stifle Grizzlies again?
(16)
Monte Poole

WARRIORS VIDEO

Curry: 'If we don't play our best game,' Grizzlies can win in Oracle
Curry: 'If we don't play our best game,' Grizzlies can win in Oracle
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Bill Herenda
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets
  • Channel locations

Latest News

Kings' odds for 2015 NBA Draft Lottery
CSN Bay Area staff

Kings Video

Highlights: McLemore, Williams lead Kings past Lakers
Highlights: McLemore, Williams lead Kings past Lakers
See more >

KINGS INSIDER

  • Michael Malone praises Steph; Warriors 'Curry's team'
  • George Karl says Warriors will win it all
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

Levi’s Stadium finalist for awards, including ‘Venue of the Year’
(6)
CSN Bay Area staff

49ers VIDEO

Maiocco: 49ers took lot of high-risk players off draft board
Maiocco: 49ers took lot of high-risk players off draft board
See more >

49ers INSIDER

  • Baalke: Kaepernick developing chemistry with Reggie Bush
  • Numbers game: 49ers rookies issued jerseys
  • Matt Maiocco's 49ers chat transcript (5.12.15)
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Report: Raiders placed claim on safety DJ Swearinger
(2)
CSN Bay Area staff

RAIDERS VIDEO

Feinstein: Brady guilty, and NFL needed to come down hard
Feinstein: Brady guilty, and NFL needed to come down hard
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

  • Del Rio: Raiders will play with 'calculated, controlled' swagger
  • Raiders rookies assigned jersey numbers
  • Raiders sign WR Austin Hill
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Riley scores in 92nd to give Rapids 1-1 tie with Earthquakes
Associated Press

Quakes Video

Fans flock to Avaya Stadium opener, watch Earthquakes win
Fans flock to Avaya Stadium opener, watch Earthquakes win
See more >

Quakes Shop

JOE STIGLICH

Instant Replay: Gray dominant, but A's blanked by Red Sox
(3)
See more >

ALEX PAVLOVIC

Giants CHAT with Insider Alex Pavlovic -- NOW (5.13.15)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Baalke: Kaepernick developing chemistry with Reggie Bush
(163)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Del Rio: Raiders will play with 'calculated, controlled' swagger
(3)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

NBA Gameday: Can Warriors' defense stifle Grizzlies again?
(16)
See more >

BILL HERENDA

Sources: Kings not interested in trading Cousins to Celtics
(4)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Grizzlies' Conley 'exhausted' following Game 4 loss
(7)
See more >

RAY RATTO

Harmonic nonsense will rule Game 5 between W's, Grizzlies

VOTE YOUR FAVORITE ALL-STAR TEACHER

ast

Vote for your favorite All-Star Teacher here!

The winner gets $20k for his/her school!

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

SAY HEY TUESDAY

Join us for Say Hey Tuesday – every Tuesday Giants home game.

NCAA

Cal cuts ties with coach caught in prostitution sting
Report: Cal's Ingram placed on leave after prostitution sting arrest

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • GolfChannel.com
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Curry: 'If we don't play our best game,' Grizzlies can win in Oracle
Curry: 'If we don't play our best game,' Grizzlies can win in Oracle
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Carpool Confessions
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Humm BB
  • Bullshootin'

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Bill Herenda - Kings
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Alex Pavlovic - Giants
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California