Blake Griffin is ready to rejoin the Clippers, and just in time.
Griffin has been out since mid-December after having knee surgery. He told reporters Saturday before the Clippers got worked by the Nuggets without Griffin and Chris Paul that he's finally ready to return to action, saying he could have played against Denver if the medical team had cleared him.
Getting Griffin back would obviously be a big boost, and a much-needed one for L.A. as its lost two in a row since Paul went down with a hand injury. The Clippers need another weapon, and Griffin provides that. They need to get him back into the flow for the home stretch. It won't be the same with Raymond Felton running the offense instead of Paul, but getting Griffin back is a big deal for them.
There's still consternation and speculation that the Clippers could choose to blow up this core given their injury issues and general malaise after a terrific start in November, but don't be surprised if they keep it together. They know that the end point for this team will be determined by the playoffs, not by any thing that happens in the regular season. Griffin getting back to playing great ball will help quell some of that talk ahead of the deadline. But then again, he needs to stay healthy first and foremost. Griffin came back from his leg injury late last season only to re-injure it in the first round vs. Portland.
Doc Rivers said he's not sure what specific game Griffin could return in, but don't be surprised if he's back on the floor when the Clippers face the Warriors at Oracle on Friday.
