Blake Griffin has back injury, will not play in FIBA World cup

It appears the reason Clippers forward Blake Griffin declined last week to participate in Team USA’s basketball training camp is because of a back injury and not because he wanted to rest for the upcoming season, The Times confirmed Monday night.

Griffin has a small fracture in his back that will require rest but not surgery, and that was the reason why he couldn’t make the training camp in Las Vegas that started Monday and won’t be able to play in the FIBA World Cup that starts next month.

The Clippers have said Griffin’s injury is not considered serious.

However, the Clippers were unaware of Griffin suffering his back injury during the playoffs.

Griffin did suffer a stress fracture when Clippers played the Houston Rockets on March 29, forcing the All-Star to miss the next game at Minnesota.

But Griffin, who played in 80 regular-season games and all in 13 of the Clippers’ playoff games, has been working out in Los Angeles.

The Clippers expect Griffin to make a full recovery and be ready to play when training camp opens in late September.