NBA: Conley likely out to 2017 – reports

Memphis Grizzlies’ Mike Conley. AFP/GETTY IMAGES FILE PHOTO

LOS ANGELES—Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley faces up to two months on the sidelines after suffering a fracture in his lower back, reports said Tuesday.

Conley suffered the injury, described as a transverse process fracture, during the Grizzlies’ defeat to the Charlotte Hornets on Monday.

Reports said Conley would be re-evaluated before January 1 although the typical recovery time for the injury was put at six to eight weeks.

The injury is a blow to Memphis, who is a respectable 11-7 this season with Conley averaging a career-best 19.2 points and 5.7 assists per game.

It is the latest in a litany of injury problems to hit Conley, who has played all 82 regular-season games just once since entering the league in 2007.

Last season he spent 26 games on the sidelines because of an injured left Achilles.

READ: NBA: Grizzlies’ Conley out at least three weeks

Conley re-signed with the Grizzlies in July on what has been reported as the richest deal in NBA history, worth some $153 million (144 million euros) over six years.

Conley joins another crucial Grizzlies player, Chandler Parsons on the sidelines. Parsons is battling a knee injury while longtime Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph has missed the last three games because of a family bereavement.