Mike Conley is day-to-day with a rest issue and is not expected to play Friday at the 76ers. The Celtics will open the season without one of their backup guards available off the bench.
What happened
The Celtics listed Mike Conley as day-to-day on the injury report issued Friday, Oct. 16 at 7:15 PM ET, with the detail marked rest, other. He did not carry a previous status on the report. Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reported that Conley is not expected to play against the 76ers on Friday. The report does not list an injury location, only rest as the reason. His expected return is listed as Oct. 20.
What it means for the Celtics
Boston opens its season at the 76ers on Friday, Oct. 16 at 7:00 PM ET, airing on NBA TV. Last season Conley played 54 games for the Celtics, averaging 18.4 minutes, 4.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists. Without him, the backcourt and ball-handling load fall to Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and Anfernee Simons, who logged 34.1, 32.3 and 24.5 minutes per game respectively without Conley on the floor, alongside Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. The Celtics have not yet played a game this season, so there is no record with or without him.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether Conley's rest status changes or whether a new designation appears before Boston's following games. His expected return is listed as Oct. 20. Several other Celtics, including Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Neemias Queta and Paul George, also appear as day-to-day with rest, other on the same report, which is worth tracking as the season opens.
Is Mike Conley playing at the 76ers Friday?
No. Conley is day-to-day with a rest issue, and Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports he is not expected to play against the 76ers on Friday, Oct. 16.
When will Mike Conley be back?
His expected return is listed as Oct. 20. No further timeline has been announced.