Blake Griffin Decks Equipment Manager, Injury Absence Extends

Due to a physical altercation with Los Angeles Clippers assistant equipment manager Matias Testi, Blake Griffin’s injury absence will extend.

According to multiple reports, the two began arguing at a restaurant during a team trip to Toronto. Griffin then struck Testi, resulting in a broken hand.

The L.A. Times reported that the fight stemmed from a little back-and-forth teasing. 

After returning to L.A., Griffin underwent surgery to fix the right-hand fracture. 

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The star forward has been out for a little over a month after suffering a quad injury and is expected to be out for an additional four to six weeks with the hand injury.

The Clippers, along with the NBA are still in investigating the incident in order to establish the correct disciplinary action.

The Clippers organization, Griffin, and Doc Rivers all released statements about the incident.

Griffin:

“A situation among friends escalated and I regret the way I handled myself towards someone I care about. I want to apologize to the Clippers organization, my teammates and the fans for creating a distraction. I am working with the team on a resolution and getting back in the game as soon as possible.”

Clippers Organization:

“This conduct has no place in our organization and this incident does not represent who we are as a team. We are conducting a full investigation with assistance from the NBA. At the conclusion of the investigation, appropriate action will be taken.”

Doc Rivers:

"You don't want it to happen to anyone, and you obviously don't want it to happen during the season or even when the season is not going on. This type of stuff shouldn't happen, but it did, and it's real life, and you have to deal with real life sometimes in our make-believe world."

"I'm not satisfied with anything. I'm talking about a non-basketball issue right now... For them, we have a responsibility once we decide to play in this league to conduct ourselves in a certain way, and that's something we talked to them about [Monday]. We represent the Clippers, and we have to continue to do that. Everything that happens, obviously, you try to turn into a teaching lesson for your players."