Clippers still don’t know when Blake Griffin will be back
Clippers power forward Blake Griffin watches during the first half of a Dec. 21 game against the Thunder.
Blake Griffin continues to provide a lesson in the finicky nature of partially torn quadriceps tendons.
The Clippers’ All-Star forward is progressing in his recovery from the injury that has sidelined him for two weeks, but there remains no definitive timetable for his return.
Griffin has started shooting free throws and is expected to progress to some weight-bearing activities in the next few days. His next doctor’s appointment is not until late next week, meaning he will likely miss more than another week.
Once Griffin receives clearance to practice he would probably need a few more days before playing in a game, meaning his most likely return will come when the Clippers complete a five-game trip starting Jan. 21 in Cleveland.
The Clippers have gone 6-0 in Griffin’s absence, continuing their remarkable ability to persevere in recent seasons without one of their top players. They went 12-6 during the 2013-14 season when point guard Chris Paul was sidelined with a shoulder injury and 9-6 last season when Griffin was out with a staph infection in his right elbow.
“You sort of have to come together in a hurry,” Paul said Friday. “Different guys have to step up in different roles. When Blake comes back, I think it’ll give everybody a little more added confidence. Obviously, right now, J.J. [Redick] and myself, we’re shooting a lot more shots. That probably won’t be the case when Blake comes back. But, things come a lot easier when Blake plays.”
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