:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52710883/usa_today_9789162.0.jpg)
On December 20th, Clippers All-Star power forward Blake Griffin underwent surgery on his left knee. The vague nature of his injury and the operation—”to remove loose bodies in his left knee”—left many worried that his injury could stretch on for months, similar to last year’s quadriceps injury. Griffin went out just after Christmas and was originally supposed to return by February but ended up missing half of the season.
Today, Doc Rivers told reporters that Griffin would return in line with the original 4-5 week timeframe (the team officially listed him as out for 4-6 weeks after the surgery). Yesterday, January 10th, was the three-week mark from the surgery, which could target Blake’s return as soon as next Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 19th. It seems likely that he’ll at least return in time for the team’s January 28th game against the Golden State Warriors.
The Clippers are just 6-6 in Griffin’s absence, though they’re currently riding a four-game winning streak without him.