How far in the playoffs are the Los Angeles Clippers built to go without Blake Griffin?
It’s a question head coach and president Doc Rivers may have to start asking.
Griffin is out with a fractured right hand he suffered after punching a team equipment manager, and he’ll have to serve a four-game suspension once he’s healthy. But some thought he would still return before April, and most certainly in time for the playoffs. That apparently may not happen, as CBS Sports’ Ken Berger brings word that Griffin is dealing with yet another injury:
It’s been a poorly kept secret around the Clippers that it now appears Griffin won’t be back until sometime in April. But a person familiar with his rehab told CBS Sports Wednesday that Griffin is going hard in his workouts and getting closer to a return.
“He’s really close,” the person said.
Griffin has yet to be cleared to practice, though, and even when he is, he’ll have to serve a four-game suspension over the incident with the equipment manager.
The Clippers are 26-11 since Griffin last played and have a top-six offense, defense and net rating, according to NBA.com, during that time. But they have struggled against the West’s superpowers overall and are starting to show signs of a team that can use another star punch.
Except it’s not as simple as just getting Griffin back in time for the playoffs. The Clippers will need him to get his game legs under him, which could be tough after a three-month stay on the shelf. There’s also no assurances they’ll be that much better with him. Yes, he’s a top-20 player, one of the most versatile superstars in the game. But the Clippers have enjoyed the extra space they can create on offense without him. And unless he starts shooting threes efficiently and often, not unlike Jeff Green has done since arriving in Los Angeles, his return is going to be an adjustment for both him and the rest of the team.
