Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin suffered a quadriceps injury during the Christmas Day matchup against the Lakers, but was still able to finish the game. It was announced on Saturday that the star has a torn quadriceps tendon and will miss at least two weeks.
Griffin was able to record a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds to go along with seven assists in 36 minutes against the Lakers, but he was unaware of the severity of the pain he was feeling. An MRI on Saturday revealed the extent of the injury, and he will be re-evaluated in two weeks before returning to the court.
The team is expecting to have him back in two to three weeks, but this is an injury they really can't afford after starting the season well below expectations. The Clippers were able to hold off the Lakers on Christmas, and also took down the Jazz on Saturday in their first game without Griffin.
Despite the back-to-back victories, Griffin will surely be missed, as he leads the team by averaging 23.2 points per game, along with 8.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists. Josh Smith was tabbed as the replacement in the starting lineup on Saturday, and it is expected to stay that way until their All-Star returns.
The Clippers sit just five games over .500 at 18-13, good for fourth place in the Western Conference, which, outside of the Warriors and Spurs, have struggled as a whole. Los Angeles' next test without Griffin will come on Monday in Washington against the Wizards.
Griffin was able to record a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds to go along with seven assists in 36 minutes against the Lakers, but he was unaware of the severity of the pain he was feeling. An MRI on Saturday revealed the extent of the injury, and he will be re-evaluated in two weeks before returning to the court.
The team is expecting to have him back in two to three weeks, but this is an injury they really can't afford after starting the season well below expectations. The Clippers were able to hold off the Lakers on Christmas, and also took down the Jazz on Saturday in their first game without Griffin.
Despite the back-to-back victories, Griffin will surely be missed, as he leads the team by averaging 23.2 points per game, along with 8.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists. Josh Smith was tabbed as the replacement in the starting lineup on Saturday, and it is expected to stay that way until their All-Star returns.
The Clippers sit just five games over .500 at 18-13, good for fourth place in the Western Conference, which, outside of the Warriors and Spurs, have struggled as a whole. Los Angeles' next test without Griffin will come on Monday in Washington against the Wizards.
