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Dave McMenamin, ESPN Staff Writer
DENVER — Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley was ruled out of Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Denver Nuggets with a sore right Achilles tendon, the team announced shortly before tipoff Tuesday night.
Minnesota started guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker in Conley’s place.
Wolves coach Chris Finch said Conley tweaked his leg in the waning moments of Game 4, landing awkwardly on it after attempting a corner 3-pointer with 25 seconds left in the contest.
Conley participated in pregame warmups to test out his leg but was unable to play.
Conley, 36, is averaging 13.3 points on 44.1% shooting, 7.8 assists and 3.8 rebounds in the series.
The Wolves are tied 2-2 with the defending champion Nuggets.
Finch said Minnesota would add to the rotation by leaning on guards Jordan McLaughlin and Monte Morris. McLaughlin has played only 11 minutes total in the series so far, while Morris has played 17 minutes.
Even without Conley, the Wolves had hope coming into Game 5, knowing that the road team is undefeated thus far in the series.
“We’ve been a good road team regardless of what building we play in,” Finch said. “I think focus is there, and I’ve long said I’ve loved road games just because everything during the day is about the game. When you wake up, when you get to the bus, when you go to shootaround, when you come back and eat, when you come back and nap, all that stuff is very set for you. And at home, there tends to be more distractions.”