Mike Conley out for second night of back-to-backs; Luka Doncic hopes to return before All-Star break - Salt Lake Tribune

Dallas • The Jazz want Mike Conley in peak condition for the playoffs.

So to give him the best chance at being 100% then, they’ve decided to rest him on the second night of back-to-backs, like Monday’s game against the Mavericks. The reason is that Conley’s knee has given him problems under heavy workloads since an injury a few seasons ago when the point guard was with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Royce O’Neale was inserted back in the starting lineup for the Jazz, a move that also meant Emmanuel Mudiay found his way back into the rotation. Mudiay hasn’t played in six of the last eight games as Conley’s returned to full health from injury, but Jazz coach Quin Snyder is confident about his ability to contribute when called upon.

“He’s really consistent with what he’s done all year,” Snyder said. “He’s had games where he’s had a huge impact and now he’ll be focused and ready to go.”

By the way, Conley has played well over that stretch. He has scored at least 18 points in all four of his last games, adding nearly five assists per game while largely taking care of the ball. It’s that kind of production the Jazz’s front office expected when acquiring Conley last June, and the quality they hope he’ll add to the team when the playoffs roll around come April.

Luka Doncic coming back for All-Star Game

Speaking of injury statuses, young Mavericks star Luka Doncic missed Monday’s game due to a sprained ankle, his second one of the season that has caused him to miss games. Doncic, an MVP candidate who has put up 29 points, nine rebounds and nine assists per game this season, will try to play one game before the All-Star break, the Mavericks’ matchup against the Kings Wednesday.

Still, those who know him best say he’ll nearly certainly play in Sunday’s All-Star Game, even if he weren’t able to return by then. Doncic reportedly wants to announce his place among the league’s elite by having a strong showing at the game — and of course, growing his star in the All-Star Game’s spotlight.

A tall task

Without Doncic, the Mavericks’ star is Kristaps Porzingis, the Latvian big man who scares opponents with both his 7-foot-3 height and ability to shoot from all over the floor. But believe it or not, he’s not the tallest player on the Mavericks: that’s 7-foot-4 Boban Marjanovic. He even starred in summer blockbuster John Wick 3 thanks to his imposing figure.

Those two are the tallest players in the NBA. But despite that, the Mavericks don’t have the league’s tallest roster on average. While the Mavericks have an average height of 6-foot-6.8, the Chicago Bulls rank No. 1 with an average height of 6-7.47. Blame shorties J.J. Barea (5-foot-10) and Jalen Brunson (6-foot-1) for bringing the Mavericks’ average down.

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Mike Conley out for second night of back-to-backs; Luka Doncic hopes to return before All-Star break - Salt Lake Tribune
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