The Los Angeles Clippers have been 18.4 points per 100 possessions better when Blake Griffin is on the court this season. He’s played the best defense of his career, and while his offense lacks the highlights he used to generate seemingly nightly he has become incredibly diversified and efficient on that end.
Now we’re going to see how the Clippers play without him for a while. From Shams Charania of The Vertical at Yahoo Sports.
Vertical Sources: Clippers forward Blake Griffin will undergo minor surgery on his right knee in coming days, return some point in January.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 19, 2016
Griffin played 38 minutes Sunday, but has been playing through left knee pain.
Griffin has averaged 21 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game this season. He is part of the second-most used five-man lineup in the NBA, the Clippers starting five — they are outscoring opponents by 16.2 points per 100 possessions when he is on the court. The Clippers numbers drop off fast when the bench gets involved, and it’s going to be involved a lot for the next few weeks.
This also could cost Griffin a lot of money.
With Blake Griffin's surgery, the missed time almost certainly will prevent an All-NBA nod, and thus higher tier Designated Veteran contract
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) December 19, 2016