Report: Blake Griffin may not return until April
The Los Angeles Clippers have had a rough time against some of the NBA's elite teams over the past week, losing by double digits to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, and San Antonio Spurs as Blake Griffin continues to be out of the lineup.
Griffin, who's been sidelined since Christmas Day with a quad injury and broken hand, could remain inactive until April at the earliest, according to CBS Sports' Ken Berger.
This doesn't factor in the four-game suspension he's set to serve after punching Matias Testi, the team's equipment manager, during an incident outside a Toronto restaurant on Jan. 23.
The Clippers are enduring their worst stretch since the five-time All-Star got hurt, having lost four of their last six games. Seeding is everything in the Western Conference, with the No. 4 seed - which the Clippers currently hold - currently matching up with the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors in the second round instead of waiting until the conference finals.
Griffin's presence is vital for Doc Rivers' squad in the postseason, despite the the Clippers' early success when he first got injured, winning 10 of their first 11 games. Despite being "very close" to returning, Griffin's timetable was recently pushed back to the end of March, and that's since reportedly been extended.
In 30 appearances, Griffin is averaging 23.2 points on 50.8 percent shooting, along with 8.7 rebounds and five assists in 34.9 minutes per game.