Mike Conley returned to action for the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night, helping the team secure a 103-100 win over the Milwaukee Bucks at Target Center. “It felt good. You still get a little anxious and excited when you get to go out there and play,” Conley said after the game.
Conley highlighted his focus on facilitating offense and easing pressure on teammates. “I was really just trying to make the game easier for everybody… they played a zone a lot of the time, and I was just trying to get in the paint, find guys, start the blender a little bit,” he explained.
The veteran point guard was surprised to enter the game at the start of the third quarter. “I was still shooting layups on the other end, and they called me over to jump in… it was big for me to be able to come out there and just try to hold it down a little bit,” Conley said.
Conley credited halftime adjustments for Minnesota’s third-quarter surge. “Coach was adamant about driving the ball, not letting the zone deter you… we were getting easy walk-in shots, easy layups, easy rolls, and guys were getting a lot of opportunities,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of movement and spacing for team offense. “I always call it the blender… drive it one more time and I almost guarantee you’ll get a better look… when we play that way, everybody on the court becomes an option and a threat,” Conley explained.
Conley also discussed his role adaptation this season. “Some nights it’s easy, some nights it’s difficult… to start the third quarter, you get called to come in, you just have to have your mind set on trying to help whenever that time is,” he said.
Encouraging teammates was another priority for Conley. “Shannon’s one of the few guys on our team that can break the paint… I just keep him aggressive, get him comfortable, and engaged in the game,” he noted.
On his own offensive rhythm, Conley said, “More opportunities probably… the more reps you get, the better it is. I rarely shoot floaters anymore. If I can be more aggressive in there, it’ll help a lot.”
The Wolves overcame a 16-point deficit before outscoring Milwaukee 27-15 in the third quarter, fueled by back-to-back three-pointers from Donte DiVincenzo and finishes around the rim by Rudy Gobert. Gobert also reached 10,000 career rebounds in the win.
Minnesota improved to 19-10, while Milwaukee fell to 11-18. The Timberwolves host New York next, and the Bucks visit Indiana on Tuesday.
