Memphis Grizzlies head coach Dave Joerger has praised Mike Conley for his performance in the closing stages of the 108-101 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night.

Despite leading for most of the first three quarters, the Grizzlies found themselves behind early in the final period when Atlanta completed a run of 16 unanswered points.

Conley, who was expected to be given a rest in the fourth quarter, was introduced to the game again and Joerger believes that the point guard was the key player for his side late on.

"The way the game was going it could have flipped on us there at that point, so I would rather go down with guys that were playing really well," Joerger told reporters. "I might have put them in too early, but they gutted it out.

"Mike Conley, I think he has got to be Western Conference Player of the Week or something. He was responsible for almost every one of our baskets in the fourth quarter."

Conley finished the game with 21 points and 13 assists.