Wolves Revisit Western Conference Finals, Spurred by Iconic Point Guard Conley's Legacy
Rewritten Article:
Minnesota's NBA Stars: A Special Bond Between Edwards and Conley
The Minnesota Timberwolves might've been knocked out of the NBA playoffs last year, but young gun Anthony Edwards made a bold promise to veteran Mike Conley - a return to the Western Conference finals. No one on the Timberwolves is more highly esteemed than Conley, and there isn't a single player they'd rather win a title for than their 37-year-old point guard.
"Mike Conley is the epitome of a seasoned pro," Edwards gushed. "He plays through everything, never complains, always knows what to say, and is always in the right place. He's an outstanding role model, for sure."
Edwards was merely five when Conley was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2007. Now, these NBA vets rank third and ninth among active players in career regular-season minutes – a fact that's all the more impressive given Conley's 103 playoff games and counting. Yet, he's yet to achieve what Kevin Durant and Al Horford have – an NBA championship.
Conley's playoff journey has been a winding one, with two finals appearances and a few stints with different teams like the Utah Jazz. The Grizzlies were swept in 2013 by the San Antonio Spurs, and in 2015, they found themselves facing the start of the Golden State Warriors' dynasty in the second round.
Fast forward to 2025, and Conley's been back in the conference finals again. "Just grateful to be in this spot with these guys," he said. "Wouldn't want to be anywhere but with them."
The road to this moment wasn't easy. Injuries held him back early in the season, particularly a troublesome wrist problem, while the Wolfpack went through painful growing pains after trading Karl-Anthony Towns just before training camp. Despite playing in 71 games, Conley averaged career lows with 24.7 minutes and 8.2 points.
As the regular season drew to a close, coach Chris Finch started favoring Donte DiVincenzo over Conley in the closing lineup. But Conley took it all in stride, ever the selfless veteran. "It's the routine conversation every playoff season," Finch said. "And Mike calmly stands up and says, 'Whatever it takes, coach. We'll make it work.'"
The first round was an uphill battle for Conley, who faced size and strength disadvantages against every perimeter player the Los Angeles Lakers threw at him. But he never ceased to offer value to the team. "Even if he's not scoring, Mike impacts the game in countless ways," DiVincenzo noted.
The Wolves found a better defensive matchup for Conley against the Warriors – Buddy Hield. Conley's shutdown defense on Hield played a significant role in the Warriors being outscored by 38 points while Hield was on the court during the last four games. Conley also roared back to career-high 16 points in the elimination game with four 3-pointers.
The praise for Conley poured in after the win. But Conley remained humble. "It's not about me," he said. "I just want my teammates to succeed. I want them to earn their millions, achieve all their goals, and win championships. That's what I'm here for."
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
- In an interview, Mike Conley shared his thoughts about the Toronto Raptors' court, expressing his admiration for its historical significance in NBA history, especially considering their historic championship win in 2019.
- Local Toronto news outlets reported on the Minnesota Timberwolves' sports news, highlighting the special bond between teammates Anthony Edwards and Mike Conley, and their shared goal of taking the team back to the Western Conference finals.
- Ahead of the upcoming NBA playoffs, basketball enthusiasts in Toronto eagerly awaited the potential matchup between the top-seeded Toronto Raptors and the Minnesota Timberwolves, with particular interest in the performance of Mike Conley, the Timberwolves' seasoned point guard and possible NBA champion.
