He’s 38. In NBA years, that’s basically ancient. When you pull up the mike conley game log lately, you might see a bunch of single-digit scoring nights and wonder if the gas tank is finally on E. Honestly, looking at the box score doesn't tell the whole story of what Mike is doing in Minnesota right now.
It’s easy to get caught up in the shooting percentages. Yeah, he’s shooting around 36% from the field this season. That’s a career low. But if you’re only looking at the points column, you’re missing why Chris Finch still treats him like a security blanket.
The Reality of the Recent Mike Conley Game Log
Let's get into the nitty-gritty of January. On January 13, 2026, against Milwaukee, Conley got a spot-start because Anthony Edwards was resting. He put up 9 points and 5 assists in 21 minutes. He hit three triples. It wasn't flashy, but the Wolves won by 33. That’s the "Conley Effect" in a nutshell. He doesn't need to dominate the ball to make the offense hum.
Then you look at the game against San Antonio on January 11. He played just 12 minutes and scored 4 points. Some fans see that and think he’s being phased out for younger guys like Bones Hyland or Rob Dillingham.
The truth? It’s load management without calling it load management.
Finch is playing a long game. The Timberwolves are deep. They don't need 2007-era Memphis Mike anymore. They need the guy who doesn't turn the ball over. Speaking of which, his assist-to-turnover ratio is still elite. He’s basically a coach who happens to be wearing a jersey.
Breaking Down the Shooting Slump
You can't ignore the numbers forever. His efficiency has taken a massive hit.
- November/December 2025: He had a stretch where he was averaging about 5 points on 27% shooting over nine games.
- The Achilles issue: He missed a chunk of time in late November/early December with right Achilles tendinitis. That matters. At 38, those lingering "minor" injuries stick around.
- Role Change: He’s moved to the bench more frequently. Transitioning from a career-long starter to a 15-minute-a-night sub is a mental hurdle most stars can't clear.
He had a rough night against Phoenix on December 8—0 points, 0-for-5 from the floor. But then, two weeks later against Milwaukee (the first meeting), he played 24 minutes, grabbed 5 boards, dished 6 assists, and had 2 blocks. He’s a "connector." He fixes the broken plays that don't show up in a standard mike conley game log.
Why the Minutes are Dropping
It’s the "Bones" factor. Bones Hyland has been lighting it up lately, sometimes taking over the backup point guard minutes entirely. In early January, there were games where Conley played only 13 or 14 minutes while Hyland stayed on the floor for 20+.
Is it a passing of the torch? Sorta.
But look at the net ratings. When Conley is on the floor with Anthony Edwards, the offense is stable. When he’s off, things can get a little... chaotic. The Wolves lead the league in clutch-time turnovers some weeks. Conley is the only person on that roster who consistently keeps his head when the shot clock is winding down in the fourth.
Recent 2026 Performance Highlights
| Date | Opponent | Minutes | Points | Assists | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 13 | @ MIL | 21 | 9 | 5 | W 139-106 |
| Jan 11 | vs SA | 12 | 4 | 2 | W 104-103 |
| Jan 8 | vs CLE | 14 | 3 | 2 | W 131-122 |
| Jan 6 | vs MIA | 15 | 3 | 3 | W 122-94 |
| Jan 4 | @ WAS | 13 | 7 | 3 | W 141-115 |
Looking at that table, it’s all wins. Every single one. Mike might not be the engine, but he’s definitely the oil. He’s averaging about 5 points and 3 assists on the season, which looks pedestrian until you realize he’s doing it in under 20 minutes a night.
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The Injury Factor and the Great Toe Sprain
Right now, there’s a new wrinkle. As of January 16, 2026, Conley is dealing with a left great toe sprain. He’s questionable for the Toronto game. These are the "old man" injuries that start to pile up in a 19th season.
First it was the Achilles. Then it was "rest" on the front end of back-to-backs. Now it’s the toe.
The Timberwolves are being incredibly cautious. They know they need him for the postseason. If you’re checking the mike conley game log for fantasy purposes, he’s a risky play unless one of the main starters (like Ant or DiVincenzo) is out. When he starts, his numbers jump to around 9 points and 5 assists. When he comes off the bench, he’s lucky to see 5 shot attempts.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think Mike is "washed" because he isn't scoring.
In reality, he’s sacrificing his own stats to let Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards cook. He’s still in the 85th percentile for assist-to-usage ratio. He doesn't waste possessions. In a league where young guards throw the ball into the third row trying to make a highlight reel, Conley’s boringness is his greatest strength.
He still hasn't recorded a technical foul in over 34,000 minutes. Think about that. The level of composure required to play two decades of professional basketball without losing your cool once is insane.
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The Trade Deadline Dilemma
There’s been some chatter lately—notably from sites like Dunking With Wolves—about whether Minnesota might actually move Conley before the deadline. It sounds crazy because he’s the "vibes" guy, the locker room leader.
But if Hyland continues to emerge and Dillingham needs minutes to develop, does a 38-year-old on a $10 million-ish contract become a trade chip?
Probably not. Finch trusts him too much. You can't trade experience in the Western Conference. If they face a team like OKC or Denver in the playoffs, you want the guy who has seen every defensive coverage known to man since 2007.
Fantasy Basketball Outlook
If you're tracking Mike for your fantasy league, here is the blunt truth:
- Starting Status: Only viable when he starts. He averages nearly double the production in the first unit.
- Category Value: He’s a "specialist" for low turnovers and the occasional 3-pointer.
- Rest Days: Expect him to miss at least one game of every back-to-back for the rest of the 2026 season.
He’s currently ranked around #270 in most fantasy formats. That’s a far cry from his All-Star days, but for a deep 14-team league, he’s a solid "glue" guy to have on your bench for nights when the Wolves are shorthanded.
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Moving Forward with Mike
So, what should we expect for the rest of the 2025-26 season?
The scoring isn't coming back. The 15-point games will be rare outliers. Instead, the mike conley game log will continue to look like a series of 5-point, 4-assist, +12 plus-minus nights. He’s focusing on being the floor general for the second unit and closing games when the younger guards get too frantic.
Watch his minutes. If he stays in that 15-18 minute range, he’ll likely stay healthy for a deep playoff run. If those minutes creep back up toward 28 because of injuries elsewhere, his efficiency will probably drop even further as fatigue sets in.
Next Steps for Following Conley:
- Monitor the Timberwolves injury report specifically for his toe and Achilles status before setting daily lineups.
- Watch his usage rate in games where Anthony Edwards sits; that is the only time Conley becomes a primary offensive option.
- Focus on Advanced Stats like Net Rating and Assist-to-Turnover ratio rather than PPG to see his true impact on the court.