Clippers' Griffin faces surgery
OKLAHOMA CITY – Blake Griffin is out indefinitely because of a staph infection in his right elbow, leaving the Clippers without their All-Star forward as they fight for playoff positioning.
They got off to a rough start in his absence Sunday, losing 131-108 to the Thunder. Griffin will have surgery Monday and be re-evaluated after the All-Star break.
"I'm more concerned about him than anybody else," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said, "because infections are no joke."
Griffin is averaging 22.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists while shooting 50.1 percent. Portland guard Damian Lillard will take Griffin's roster spot in next Sunday's All-Star Game in New York.
HIGHLIGHTS
• LOVE, LEBRON LEAD WAY: Kevin Love scored a season-high 32 points, LeBron James flirted with a triple-double and the Cleveland Cavaliers rolled over the visiting Los Angeles Lakers 120-105. Love made five three-pointers in the second quarter and two more in the third as Cleveland opened a 26-point lead.
• HOT WHEN IT COUNTS: An 8-0 run in the final 3 minutes lifted the host Memphis Grizzlies to a 94-88 victory over the Hawks. Mike Conley had 21 points and six assists for the winners. Jeff Teague led Atlanta with 22 points.
• LUCK OF KINGS: Sacramento was outscored 24-12 in the fourth quarter, but won 85-83 over the visiting Suns when DeMarcus Cousins rattled in a jump shot as time expired. Cousins finished with 28 points and 12 rebounds.
