Just when the Los Angeles Clippers had snapped their nine-game losing streak, the team has learned that they'll be playing without their best player moving forward. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Clips' All-Star forward Blake Griffin will be out for eight weeks after suffering a sprained MCL during last night's 120-115 win over the Lakers.
Wojnarowski reports that there was no structural damage to Griffin's knee, but he's still expected to two months. The Clippers, 8-12, are undoubtedly relieved that the injury isn't more severe, but it's definitely a devastating blow to a team that just rattled off three straight wins after losing nine in a row.
Blake was injured late in the fourth quarter against the Lakers when Austin Rivers accidentally ran into his left leg while scrambling to recover a loose ball.
So far this season Griffin is leading the Clippers in points and assists per game with 23.6 and 5.1, respectively. Additionally, he is recording 7.9 rebounds a game.
The 28-year old, five-time All-Star has dealt with a variety of injuries over the course of his eight NBA seasons, including a stress fracture in his left knee which caused him to miss the entire 2009-10 season after being drafted #1 overall in 2009. He hasn't played more than 67 games in each of the past three seasons.
The Clippers will look to keep the ball rolling, without Blake, on Thursday night when they host the Utah Jazz at Staples Center.
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