The turn of the year has marked the Los Angeles Clippers sadly reverting back to their old injury woes. It seems every year, one or both of their primary superstars in Blake Griffin or Chris Paul is sidelined for an extended period of time and this season has proved no different.
After suffering through a broken right hand last season, Paul tore a ligament in his left thumb during the Clips game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday. This blow added on to the long absence of Griffin from the lineup who underwent a minor knee surgery in December.
As the NBA season begins to reach a key stretch of the season here before the all-star break, the Clippers may finally be getting Griffin back just in time to keep the ship afloat without CP3 healthy. Following from Brad Turner of the LATimes:
Blake Griffin said will play on this trip but not tonight vs Denver. Clips play Atlanta Monday and Philly Tuesday
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) January 21, 2017
The news of Blake Griffin’s return looming should be music to the ears of the Clippers organization and their fans. Their lineup has really been in shambles as of late and there hasn’t been much stability due to all the nicks and bruises. With the return of Griffin, at least the dynamic frontcourt combination of him and DeAndre Jordan will be back intact moving forward.
The Clippers may have a tough time staying the course in this next month before the all-star break. A backcourt in flux as of right now, their starting three guard lineup consisting of Austin Rivers, Raymond Felton, and J.J. Redick has the potential to get obliterated on a nightly basis with the plethora of guard talent in the Western Conference. The impending return of Griffin will have to hold down the fort for a squad trying to hang in there as a top four seed out West while the Warriors, Spurs, and Rockets all continue to cruise.
UPDATE (01/24/2017):
After missing 18 games, Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin will start Tuesday night vs. the Philadelphia 76ers on a minutes restriction, according to ESPN’s Kevin Arnovitz:
Blake Griffin will play tonight against the 76ers in Philadelphia. He will be on a minutes restriction. He will start.
— Kevin Arnovitz (@kevinarnovitz) January 24, 2017
