Grizzlies' Conley out 3-4 weeks with Achilles tendinitis

The Memphis Grizzlies announced Saturday that point guard Mike Conley will be out three-to-four weeks with left Achilles tendinitis.

Conley had previously been listed as out indefinitely with the issue, which has cost him three games so far. A three-to-four week timetable puts his return in the final week of the regular season, perhaps uncomfortably close to the playoffs for the Grizzlies.

Memphis has been working miracles with a battered lineup, going 8-4 since the All-Star break without key players like Conley, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Tony Allen, and Brandan Wright for major stretches. They were even forced to cut Mario Chalmers after he suffered a season-ending injury because they needed a healthy body.

However, Conley remains the team's catalyst, and a suddenly thin backcourt has forced the team to reportedly add point guard Ray McCallum. The Grizzlies will also sign big man Alex Stepheson using an injury exception, according to The Vertical's Shams Charania.

The reported Stepheson signing comes with Chris Andersen facing time on the shelf with a left shoulder injury.