As the Minnesota Timberwolves came up short in their Conference Finals clash against the Oklahoma City Thunder, veteran guard Mike Conley let his emotions spill over in a heartfelt post-game reflection. Known for his stint as an Ohio State standout, Conley couldn't help but sigh as he walked off the court, feeling a sense of déjà vu.
"When I was walking off the floor, I was thinking, ‘Not again.’ It was a nightmare, man," Conley shared with a tinge of disappointment.
The ambiance—the echo of the crowd, the pulsating music—it all served as a poignant reminder of a recurring dream left unfulfilled. "You hope it ain’t your last chance.
You look at every last detail of everything going through your mind. You don’t want to forget it.
And you don’t want it to be your last memory of it."
This defeat marked the second consecutive season that Conley and the Timberwolves fell just short of reaching the NBA Finals. For Conley, it was yet another instance of Conference Finals heartbreak, the third in his respected career.
Reflecting on this latest setback, he turned his attention to his younger teammate, Anthony Edwards. “I can’t expect him to understand, honestly,” Conley said.
“I don’t think he truthfully does. He has a lot of time, and I know he knows that.
But for me, I’m on the other end of it. I know how hard it is.
It hurts a lot. I wanted it so bad.
I wanted it for these guys.”
At 37, Conley finds himself at the twilight of his NBA journey, with limited opportunities left to chase the one accomplishment that has eluded him—a trip to the NBA Finals. During the 2024 season, he put up commendable numbers, averaging 8.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 40 percent from the field and an impressive 41 percent from beyond the arc.
With one year remaining on his contract, valued at $10.7 million, Conley is determined to make the most of his remaining time with the Timberwolves, keeping the hope alive for that elusive Finals appearance. As he looks ahead, the veteran guard remains focused, acutely aware that the window to fulfill his long-held dream is narrowing.
