Can the Clippers still make the post-season?
READ MORE:
Lillard replaces Griffin in All-Star Game: Blazers point guard finally gets call-up.
Griffin hits game-winning three: (Video) Clippers star gets the friendly roll to win thriller.
Griffin enjoys CP3 press conference slip up: (Video) Pair are known for their sense of humour.
The Los Angeles Clippers will be without Blake Griffin for four to six weeks due to a staph infection in his right elbow, so can they survive without him?
The Western Conference is a nightmare for teams chasing the playoffs at the best of times, whether it is a race for the eighth spot or pushing for a better seeding, there is never a shortage of drama and tension.
However, while the Golden State Warriors look set to lead the way with the likes of the Memphis Grizzles and Portland Trail Blazers chasing them down and as the Oklahoma City Thunder continue to hunt down the Phoenix Suns, where does Griffin’s injury leave the Clippers?
Sunday’s heavy loss to the Thunder showed just how important the power forward is to the team on both ends of the court, and the Clippers are now sixth in the standings with a 33-18 record.
They have six games on the Pelicans who sit ninth while they remain seven and a half above the Thunder who are currently 10th in the West.
However, their upcoming schedule suggests that this could get a little nervy for coach Doc Rivers and his players, as assuming that Griffin is out for four weeks, here are the games that he will likely miss:
Monday at Dallas Mavericks
Wednesday vs. Houston Rockets
February 19 vs. San Antonio Spurs
February 21 vs. Sacramento Kings
February 23 vs. Memphis Grizzlies
February 27 at Houston Rockets
March 1 at Chicago Bulls
March 2 at Minnesota Timberwolves
March 4 vs. Portland Trail Blazers
March 8 at Golden State Warriors
If his recovery timetable is extended to six weeks, then he will also miss games against the Thunder, Mavs, Rockets, Hornets, Kings, Wizards and Pelicans heading towards the end of March.
Griffin could miss up to 19 games in total with nine of those against teams currently set to make the playoffs in the West. With three games against OKC and the Pelicans in the mix too, this could be a crucial period for the Clippers to prove that they can hold on.
With JJ Redick also sidelined, it will likely be a testing time for Rivers who will have to rely on big minutes from his other starters given their lack of depth.
COMMENTS