Blake Griffin hasn’t suited up since Christmas, and that’s not changing anytime soon.
The Los Angeles Clippers, in conjunction with the NBA, released a statement detailing Griffin’s punishment for punching the team’s assistant equipment manager, an incident that left him with a fractured right hand.
Here’s the press release, courtesy of ProBasketballTalk’s Kurt Helin:
The following is a joint statement from L.A. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Doc Rivers:
The L.A. Clippers announced today that forward Blake Griffin has been suspended without pay for four games for striking a team employee on Jan. 23 and his wages will be withheld for one additional game for injuries he sustained. The NBA has assisted us in this process.
The Clippers will donate the salary from the five games to charities focused on disadvantaged youth in Los Angeles. At his request, Blake will support this activity with his time.
We have made it clear that this conduct has no place in the Clippers organization. Blake is remorseful and has apologized for his actions. He is a valued member of our Clippers family and we support him as he rejoins the team. He understands his actions have consequences, and is eager to get back to work with his teammates, the organization and Clipper Nation which starts immediately with rehab, appearances and attendance at games.
For our team and organization, it is time to move forward which begins today and ultimately concludes when we have Blake back on the court.
A couple quick thoughts on this.
It’s not entirely clear who handed down this punishment. The NBA investigated the incident, so it’s possible this comes from them. At the same time, it’s bizarre that the Clippers would be the party releasing the details.
My guess, like Helin’s, is that the Clippers are the ones taking action. The organization is assuredly frustrated that Griffin acted as he did, and the 26-year-old power forward has meandered in and out of the trade rumor mill ever since his misconduct took place.
Suspending Griffin and docking him pay would be an aggressive play for his own team. But the Clippers are humming without him, and that likely allowed them to broker a punishment with the NBA, in turn permitting them to recoup some of the respect they might have lost at the beginning.
As for when Blake Griffin will serve his suspension, that’s not entirely clear. Usually, though, these forcibly imposed absences cannot be officially levied while a player is injured. More likely than not, Griffin will serve his suspension once he’s healthy.
Which means that anyone hoping to see him play again before April might want to readjust their expectations.
