NBA PLAYOFF PICTURE

Grizzlies’ Conley out of hospital, to miss Game 4

The Sports Xchange

April 26, 2015 at 5:55 pm.

Apr 25, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) defends Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley, who was hospitalized Saturday night with a head injury he sustained during the playoff victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, will return to Memphis for further evaluation.

Conley has been ruled out of Game 4 on Monday night in Portland. The Grizzlies’ 115-109 victory gave them a 3-0 lead in the first-round, best-of-seven series.

Conley left Saturday’s game with 3:04 left in the third quarter after he was inadvertently hit in the head by an elbow from Portland guard C.J. McCollum. Conley was hit in the area between his cheekbone and eye and the blow knocked him to the floor. He remained motionless for several seconds as play continued at the opposite end of the court before play was stopped moments later.

Conley was eventually helped off the court by coaches and trainers while holding a towel over his face. His left eye was swollen as he was taken to the medical facility for further evaluations.

“He was a little dizzy, but he was OK,” said Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, who was one of the first players over to check on Conley after he fell to the floor. “He got up and talked and walked back to the locker room. That’s all I know. That was the last time I saw him. I hope he will be OK.”

Conley took to Twitter after the game to congratulate his teammates:

“Proud of my guys for stepping up! Huge win tonight. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers. I will be fine!”

Conley, who had already been playing through a foot injury, finished with 14 points, four assists and three rebounds in 26 minutes before leaving the game.