The Utah Jazz are set to kick-off the 2020 NBA Playoffs with Game 1 against the Denver Nuggets today (August 17). However, Jazz star Mike Conley won’t be joining them, as he left the NBA’s “bubble” for the birth of his son.
Mike Conley has two sons with his wife Mary, Myles and Noah Conley, and on Sunday, August 16 the Jazz revealed in a statement that Conley returned to his hometown of Columbus, Ohio for the birth of his third son, Elijah Michael Conley.
Mike Conley posted a picture of his adorable newborn on Instagram, writing in the caption: “@livinglereve and baby are doing great! In the words of our oldest son, “Welcome to the world Lightning Thunder Michael Alex Conley”! 😂 We settled on Elijah Michael Conley instead… close enough though. What an awesome reminder of what’s important in life and what motivates us to be better! ✊🏾#mommydidgreat #blessed.”
Mike Conley does plan to rejoin his team at some point in the Playoffs, and upon returning to the NBA “bubble” he would be required to quarantine for four days, meaning that at the very least he would miss the first two games of the Jazz’s best-of-7 playoff series against the Nuggets. The Jazz will miss Conley in the series, as he averages 18 points and five rebounds, and their second-leading scorer, Bojan Bogdanovic is out with a wrist injury. However, the Jazz organization supports Conley’s decision wholeheartedly, knowing that some things are “bigger than basketball.”
“The whole organization — the players, coaches, and everyone here — completely supports his decision to be with his wife and his new baby,” said Jazz forward Joe Ingles. “Obviously he’s a big part of our team. Whenever Mary and Mike feel comfortable that it’s the right time for him to come back, we’ll obviously bring him in with open arms. But until then, it’s one of those things that’s bigger than basketball. Being there with his family is priority No. 1 right now.”
