Blake Griffin Injury Update: Clippers star to undergo knee surgery

Blake Griffin, the Los Angeles Clippers All-Star, is set to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery which will keep him out of action for nearly six weeks, the team announced on Monday.

A press release from the team read that the power forward will "undergo a routine arthroscopic procedure on Tuesday, Dec. 20 to remove loose bodies from his right knee".

The former No.1 draft pick began experiencing soreness in his right knee last weekend which forced him to sit out a game. But he returned to action and played all through the week including Sunday's 117-110 road defeat to the Washington Wizards. In Washington, Griffin had 26 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists from 38 minutes and didn't show any signs of injury.

The superstar forward is quickly developing the dreaded "injury-prone" reputation around the league. Last season, he appeared in only 35 games due to a torn left quad muscle and later a right-hand injury suffered during a brawl with the team's assistant equipment manager. The altercation resulted in Griffin getting suspended for an additional five games. To make matters worse, Griffin re-injured his left quadriceps tendon during the playoffs and was forced to sit out of the final two games of the series defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Blake Griffin injured against the Warriors?

According to the Orange County Register, Griffin likely suffered the latest injury during the blowout loss to Golden State Warriors on Dec. 7. "Maybe no one should be surprised, but Griffin’s right knee has been bothering him. He’s one of two players this season to get a scheduled day of rest. And, he also didn’t play in the Clippers’ win over New Orleans at Staples Center earlier this month.

"Prior to that game, Griffin had his right knee treated and the hope was rest would alleviate any problems. And, it seemed like it might have worked. Griffin played 40 minutes two days later in a win over Portland and logged more than 38 minutes in two of the team’s next three games, including Sunday’s loss to the Wizards," explained Clippers beat writer Dan Woike.

In Griffin’s absence, the Clippers are expected to start either Brandon Bass, Marreese Speights or Paul Pierce.

Blake Griffin, who missed his entire rookie season in 2010 due to a left knee injury, is averaging 21.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 26 games this season.