Clippers’ Blake Griffin to have Surgery, Lillard to replace him in All Star game

(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Clippers’ power forward and All-Star Blake Grifin did not participate in today’s 108-131 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder and is out for the time being.  Griffin will undergo surgery on Monday Feb.9 for a staph infection in his right elbow and will sideline at least through all star weekend, forward/center Spencer Hawes started in his place.  This injury has not come at the best time for the team, with shooting guard J.J. Reddick already out for the past 3 games due to back spasms, the Clippers have now lost 4th straight and haven’t lost more than two straight all season before this stretch.  Three of the four losses for Los Angeles have been blowouts during the second halves of the games which doesn’t show promise for the next two upcoming games before the All-Star break, where they face-off against fellow playoff contenders the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks.

Per ESPN Griffin deals with bursitis throughout his career and often gets his right elbow drained.  Since infections are fairly unpredictable the timetable can range from 2-6 weeks.  Elected as an All-Star starter this season, Griffin has been the Clippers’ leading scorer, as he is averaging 22.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and a career-high 5.1 assists per game this season. Hours after the team announced Griffins injury, the NBA has announced Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard will take over Griffins spot on the Western Conference All-Star team.  Lillard has played a big role on Portland’s success this year and a lot of fans and media have argued that Lillard should have been on the team in the first place.  Portland is currently 4th in the West at 34-17 and Lillard is averaging  21.6 points per game, 6.3 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. The now second time All-Star also leads the league in points in the fourth quarter of games where he has won multiple games for the Trail Blazers.