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Blake Griffin to undergo surgery for staph infection in right elbow

Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin

AP

Bad news out of nowhere: Blake Griffin has a staph infection in his right elbow that requires surgery, which will keep him out at least through the All-Star break.

Here’s the Clippers’ press release:

The Los Angeles Clippers announced today that All-Star forward Blake Griffin will undergo surgery in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 9 to remove a staph infection in his right elbow. Griffin will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break.

The procedure is scheduled to be performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache and assisted by Clippers team physician Dr. Steven Shimoyama.

Griffin, 25, is averaging 22.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists while shooting 50.1 percent from the field in 35.3 minutes this season and was recently selected to his fifth NBA All-Star game.


ESPN.com’s Ramona Shelburne is hearing that Griffin could be out four to six weeks.

Details on Blake Griffin’s elbow surgery-- the staph infection is in the elbow he has drained. Initial projection is 4-6 weeks, per sources

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 8, 2015

The loss of Griffin is huge for the Clippers. The rest of their frontcourt depth prominently features the likes of Spencer Hawes, Hedo Turkoglu and Glen Davis. Hopefully he doesn’t miss much time if any after the All-Star break. Before the break, the Clippers have a tough slate. Griffin will be out for today’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, as well as Monday night in Dallas against the Mavericks. The Clippers host the Rockets on Wednesday.

The injury also means Griffin will sit out the All-Star game, creating another opening on the Western Conference roster. It’s all but a lock that Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard will take his spot.