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Sarah Todd
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After not traveling on the Jazz’s last road trip, the veteran point guard has been working with the team’s training staff during the team’s current trip.
NEW ORLEANS — The Utah Jazz have remained steadfast in their no-timetable stance with Mike Conley, and he remains on the injury report, listed as out, but there does seem to be progress being made.
Conley was shooting with his teammates Thursday morning at Smoothie King Center ahead of the team’s game the same night against the New Orleans Pelicans. Following the team’s morning shootaround, Conley took part in a physical workout with Jazz training staff.
Thursday night’s game will mark the 14th consecutive game that Conley has missed since re-injuring his left hamstring Dec. 17.
Conley did not travel with the team on last week’s three-game road trip, which also ended in New Orleans. Instead the veteran guard stayed behind in Salt Lake City to continue his injury rehab.
Though no official word has come down from the Jazz about a return date for Conley, his presence with the team, and increased physical activities does provide some cause for optimism.
Conley is averaging 13.6 points through 22 games in his first season with the Jazz. His return and what the lineup implications of his return will be have been hot topics where the Jazz are concerned.
The most likely scenario is that Royce O’Neale will be displaced from the starting unit to make room for Conley, keeping Joe Ingles with the starters, and more specifically with Rudy Gobert.
The Ingles-Gobert pairing has been one of the highlights of this season and will likely continue to be a point of emphasis in the Jazz’s offense moving forward.
The Jazz return home Saturday to face the Sacramento Kings.
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