Rivers expects team to battle through without Griffin…
Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin will miss at least three weeks of action after he underwent surgery to remove a staph infection in his right elbow.
READ MORE:
Clippers face nervy playoff race with Griffin: All-Star could be out for three weeks.
Griffin to undergo surgery: Clippers star has infection in right elbow.
Rivers apologises to courtside Clippers fan: (Video) Clippers coach embarrassed by display.
The Clippers announced that the surgery had been a success and that Griffin would be re-examined in three weeks as he recovers from the procedure.
It will be welcome news for both the player and franchise after it was initially reported that he could be sidelined for up to six weeks with the issue.
“It’s probably what’s expected, to be honest,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers told reporters.
“At the end of the day, we’re the Clippers. You see what you see. I feel very good about our team. Obviously we’ve lost some games, we have injuries and all that, but you go through them. You don’t panic. You don’t. All you have to do is look at history. The Spurs have done it. You go through stuff. We did it [in Boston] in 2010. We had a ton of injuries, and [people said], ‘Break ’em up, trade ’em all,’ and the next thing you know, we’re in the Finals. I’ll let you guys do all the panicking, and we’ll just keep moving along.”
Griffin is the leading scorer for the Clippers this season as he averages 22.5 points along with 7.5 rebounds and a career-high 5.1 assists per game.
Rivers added that the Clippers will look to sign a player to a 10-day contract after the All-Star break to cover the loss and add depth to the roster while they will also likely be active in the market to sign a player who is available after buy-outs.
The Clippers coach denied that he would make a move for veteran Ray Allen who is expected to make a decision on his future during the All-Star break, and despite their past together, it is understood that the Cleveland Cavaliers are favourites to sign him.
Meanwhile, Amar’e Stoudemire is another name linked with the Clippers as he is set to discuss a contract buy-out with the New York Knicks over the coming week.
COMMENTS