Blake Griffin expresses remorse; Doc adamant about keeping Griffin
There's been a lot of rumors about him but we haven't seen much of Blake Griffin since news broke he fractured his right hand punching a team staffer outside a restaurant in Toronto. At Clippers' practice Tuesday, Griffin spoke to the media for the first time since the Jan. 23 incident and his subsequent suspension by the team.
Griffin started by saying he was "truly, truly sorry for what happened" and acknowledged he let his teammates, the Clippers organization and his family down. Calling the incident a "situation between two friends that kind of got out of hand," Griffin recognized his "poor judgement" and expressed the need to apologize and make things up to Clippers fans.
Responding to reporters' questions, Griffin went on to say his actions were something he thinks about daily and wishes he could take back but his focus now would be moving forward from the incident.
In regards to his relationship with Matias Testia, the Clippers team staffer involved in the altercation, Griffin said Testia told him "this stuff happens and we're like brothers and you just kind of move on." According to Griffin, the two have been in touch often following the incident and he has spoken with his teammates and coaches since as well and all of been supportive.
Timeline of Griffin's Absence from Clippers:
-Sustains partially torn quadriceps during Christmas Day win over Lakers
-Altercation with Matias Testia outside a Toronto restaurant Jan. 23 results in broken right hand
-Has surgery on broken right hand Jan. 26 and initially slated to return in 4-6 weeks
Doc Rivers addressed the media today and put the Blake Griffin trade rumors to rest: https://t.co/zVEmxSf4Cj pic.twitter.com/3XVWBLgpM1
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) February 17, 2016
-Clippers suspend Griffin 4 games on Feb. 9 following joint investigation into Toronto incident with the NBA
-Griffin gives statement to the media on Feb. 16
Following Griffin's statement, Clippers head coach Doc Rivers emphasized to reporters that rumors surrounding Griffin being traded were just that, and again reiterated it by saying, "I've told you we're not trading Blake."
For their part, the Clippers are more than surviving on the court without their star forward. The team is 18-5 without Griffin including a 9-game winning streak immediately after he went down with a quad injury. But it would be foolish to think the team could manage a deep playoff run without Griffin healthy.
Griffin had surgery on his broken right hand immediately following the incident in Toronto and there is no updates regarding his return. Initially, it was reported the surgery would keep him out 4-6 weeks.
