Conley (back) started at point guard and recorded eight points (2-7 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 4-5 FT), six assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block across 29 minutes in Friday's 96-92 loss to the Kings.

EDGE Analysis

Despite not being expected to return until January while recovering from back fractures, Conley made surprising progress in his recovery and was cleared to suit up Friday. The Grizzlies immediately handed him a sizable workload, and assuming Conley experienced no setbacks following the contest, it looks like he'll be fine to assume his normal role going forward. Though he didn't turn in a standout performance in his first game back, Conley still managed to make history, as he became the Grizzlies' all-time leading scorer on a free throw in the third quarter.

Conley is listed as the starting point guard for Friday's game against the Kings.

EDGE Analysis

It has been quite the turnaround for Conley, who is returning well ahead of his original schedule. While he is returning as a starter, the veteran point guard is still expected to be on a minute restriction for the contest. Look for the team to ease him back into the swing of things.

Conley will be on a minutes limit in his return to action Friday, Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's not clear how many minutes Conley will be limited to, but it appears he will be eased back into action to some degree, and his final total will ultimately depend on how much pain he can tolerate in regards to his injured back.

Conley (back) will return to action Friday against the Kings, Chris Vernon of The Ringer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Conley's outlook for Friday's contest has gradually improved over the last couple days, and he is now set to get back on the court roughly a month ahead of his expected return date. The report did not indicate if Conley would be limited at all Friday, but if he is playing, it seems likely he would be able to handle something at least close to his regular role.

Coach David Fizdale is hopeful that Conley (back) will play in Friday's game against the Grizzlies, Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal reports.

EDGE Analysis

In a fairly shocking turn of events, Conley is trending toward playing Friday after originally given a timetable of at least another month. Conley went through shootaround and will likely test out his back once more during pregame warmups before the team he and the team make a final decision, but Conley's return is looking like a good possibility.

There is a chance Conley (back) could play Friday night against the Kings, ESPN's Jeff Goodman reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Grizzlies have listed Conley as doubtful for Friday's game, but this report seems more optimistic, and moves him slightly closer to questionable. Either way, Conley's chances of playing Friday are not great, but those with him on their fantasy team or considering including him in Friday's lineups will likely want to check on his status again closer to game time for final confirmation.

Conley (back) is listed as doubtful for Friday's game against the Kings.

EDGE Analysis

Normally a doubtful designation would not be looked at as a positive, but given Conley's original expected timetable for recovery, this is positive news. He was expected to miss roughly six weeks when he was originally diagnosed in mid-November, so a return in the near future would be ahead of schedule. The Grizzlies have not yet commented on Conley's status, but their decision to waive Toney Douglas, who they brought in to fill Conley's void, indicates Conley's return should be around the corner.

Conley (back) is well ahead of schedule in his rehab and could return to the court as soon as Friday's game against the Kings, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reports.

EDGE Analysis

The news comes seemingly out of nowhere, as the expectation had been that Conley would miss roughly six weeks with fractures in his lower-back, which were initially diagnosed in late-November. The point guard has reportedly made significant progress in recent days, and if he returns over the weekend -- Memphis plays Friday (vs. Kings) and Sunday (vs. Jazz) -- he will have missed fewer than three weeks of action. The Grizzlies are yet to comment on Conley's progress, but the team's decision to waive Toney Douglas, who was brought in earlier in the month to help fill the void, would appear to be in line with Wojnarowski's report. For now, consider Conley questionable for Friday's meeting with Sacramento.

Conley (back) has been diagnosed with fractures in his lower back and is expected to miss roughly six weeks, Michael Wallace of Grizzlies.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Conley departed Monday's game against Charlotte with an undisclosed back injury, and further tests Tuesday morning revealed transverse fractures in his lower vertebrae. The six-week timeline is a rough estimation, and it's possible the point guard could miss additional time. Regardless, it's a massive blow for the Grizzlies, who will now turn to some combination of Wade Baldwin and Andrew Harrison at point guard. Considering both players' inexperience, the Grizzlies, a team with an eye on making the playoffs, could look to acquire another point guard to help ease the loss of Conley.

Conley (back) will be reevaluated Tuesday morning, Peter Edmiston of The Commercial Appeal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Conley exited Monday's game against the Hornets with a lower-back injury and apparently the severity of the issue won't be made clear until Conley has had a night to recover and sleep on it. If he's forced to miss time, Andrew Harrison would be first in line for added minutes while rookie Wade Baldwin likely sees a slight increase as well.