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Veteran point guard Mike Conley is beginning to regain his form just in time for the postseason, providing a needed boost for the Minnesota Timberwolves as they battle the Los Angeles Lakers in their first-round playoff series.

With the series currently tied at 1-1, Conley’s resurgence could be a key factor in determining Minnesota’s playoff fate, writes Chris Hine of The Star Tribune.

Now in his 18th NBA season, the 37-year-old player has had to endure one of the most physically and mentally taxing years of his career.

Despite entering the season with high expectations for both himself and the team, nagging injuries significantly affected his performance early on.

“This season has been one of the toughest ones I’ve had to deal with,” Conley admitted. “Obviously, a lot of expectation coming into the season after the year we had, myself included, to not be feeling the best to start the season and not playing the best – those combinations are not good together.”

Conley has been dealing with a left wrist injury that has lingered since the offseason, limiting his shooting and ball-handling. The injury is severe enough that he anticipates eventually needing surgery once the season concludes.

In addition, he dislocated a finger around the All-Star break, further complicating his ability to contribute effectively on the court.

Reflecting on his health struggles, Conley explained how uncertainty and discomfort took a toll on his confidence and rhythm: “In the health part, it was like, am I ever gonna get my wrist right?” he said.

“Or am I ever gonna get feeling the same where I can hold the ball again correctly, or, not feel pain? And stuff like that. Those are all questions that were staying in my head. Once that went away, the game started to slowly come back together and it’s easier to be confident when you know you’re not feeling something crazy every time you flick your wrist or dribble the ball or play defense.”

Conley, who is in the first year of a two-year, $20.8 million contract with the Timberwolves, is determined to make his presence felt as the team pushes forward in the playoffs.

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