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Blake Griffin smiled as he milled about the Clippers' practice facility Saturday morning, graciously lingering to speak with a pair of guests wearing his jersey.
There was a reason for his buoyancy. He was about to get back onto the court with his teammates.
Griffin participated in his first practice since December, meaning his return from the quadriceps and hand injuries that have sidelined the star power forward for more than three months could come in a week or so.
Of course, there will be one final delay included in that timeline. Griffin must serve a four-game suspension for punching team assistant equipment manager Matias Testi, punishment that won't start until the Clippers inform the NBA that Griffin has been cleared to play.
That could come as soon as Sunday, when the Clippers play the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center, based on the results of Griffin's first practice. Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said Griffin looked "phenomenal" while completing the entire session. His conditioning was also better than expected.
If Griffin began serving his suspension Sunday, he could return April 3 against the Washington Wizards and play in seven games before the Clippers open the playoffs.
"I don't care if it's zero, to be honest, now, as long as he's playing to start the playoffs," Rivers said when asked how many games he wanted Griffin to play before the end of the regular season.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippe...326-story.html
Punching a teammate way too go...not
There was a reason for his buoyancy. He was about to get back onto the court with his teammates.
Griffin participated in his first practice since December, meaning his return from the quadriceps and hand injuries that have sidelined the star power forward for more than three months could come in a week or so.
Of course, there will be one final delay included in that timeline. Griffin must serve a four-game suspension for punching team assistant equipment manager Matias Testi, punishment that won't start until the Clippers inform the NBA that Griffin has been cleared to play.
That could come as soon as Sunday, when the Clippers play the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center, based on the results of Griffin's first practice. Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said Griffin looked "phenomenal" while completing the entire session. His conditioning was also better than expected.
If Griffin began serving his suspension Sunday, he could return April 3 against the Washington Wizards and play in seven games before the Clippers open the playoffs.
"I don't care if it's zero, to be honest, now, as long as he's playing to start the playoffs," Rivers said when asked how many games he wanted Griffin to play before the end of the regular season.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippe...326-story.html
Punching a teammate way too go...not