For 17 criminally-underrated seasons, Mike Conley was the epitome of consistency. He was metronomic in his value, providing two-way contributions and a poise under pressure that elevated every team that he played for and enabled him to start 93 playoff games.
In his 18th season, however, the 37-year-old Conley is finally facing questions about what he can consistently give to his team.
It's something of an inevitable outcome, as a 37-year-old point guard in their 18th season can't be realistically expected to maintain a high level of play every time out. Even timeless superstars such as Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James have the occasional bout with inconsistency.
As the Minnesota Timberwolves prepare for the 2025 NBA Playoffs, however, the time for patience and understanding with Conley is running out—and significant concerns are surfacing.
I know there’s a bunch of other issues and he’s been pretty great for a month+ but Mike Conley having 4 made baskets in clutch time all season feels like a problem to me
— Jake Paynting (@HowlsAndGrowls_) April 11, 2025
Thankfully, Conley appears to be turning things around.
Timberwolves need Mike Conley Jr. at his best for Play-In and Playoffs
Conley struggled for much of the 2024-25 season, averaging 8.1 points on .375/.391/.915 shooting through his first 52 appearances. He's been an entirely different player since Mar. 1, however, averaging 9.3 points on a slash line of .486/.493/.842.
It's unlikely that Conley will continue to make nearly half of his three-point field goals, but the general improvement in efficiency is a promising sign.
Beyond the shooting marks, Conley has become more assertive and decisive on offense. He's scored in double-figures in six games since Mar. 1, during which time Minnesota has gone 5-1—a clear sign of how valuable he can be when his shot is falling.
Minnesota is now 17-7 when Conley scores at least 10 points this season and 25-20 when he plays but fails to—records that translate to winning percentages of .708 and .556.
Furthermore, Minnesota is 15-6 when Conley has at least six assists and 27-21 when he fails to—good for winning percentages of .714 and .563. The good news on that front is that five of Conley's 21 games with at least six assists have been recorded since Mar. 1—and the Timberwolves are undefeated during those outings.
Perhaps this is a sign of Conley returning to the level the Timberwolves need him at, with Chris Finch earning vindication for pacing his veteran through the regular season.
Ambitious as that hope may be, it's the brand of optimism Minnesota is relying on approaching the 2025 NBA Playoffs. It needs Conley to make consistent contributions as a scorer and playmaker, and its strategy up to this point hasn't left much room for immediate growth in other areas.
Conley is a fan favorite and one of the best point guards of his generation, but in his 18th season, he's become an unpredictable X-Factor for the Timberwolves who will make or break their playoff dreams.