The Los Angeles Clippers can start Blake Griffin’s suspension before he’s technically active to play, and may clear him on Sunday March 27 for a potential return against the Wizards on April 3.
The time for Blake Griffin‘s return is finally close. The speculation of return dates aren’t so necessary anymore, we know that he’s fully capable of practicing at full intensity, and it seems like a return before the playoffs is essentially guaranteed. In fact, the Los Angeles Clippers will be able to let him serve out his four-game suspension from the Matias Testi incident before he’s technically on the active list (as it’s a team-imposed suspension), speeding up the return process even further.
Now that Griffin’s right hand has been fine and in good enough condition to shoot for some time now, it’s the quadricep that has been causing the delay. Seeing as it should have healed months ago, it’s rightfully caused some worry as to whether he would make a return before the playoffs at all.
However, Griffin has now participated and played well in a full practice, leaving the Clippers with the option to check his condition and ultimately clear him to play and start the suspension (per Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times):
Hearing Clippers will see how Blake Griffin feels Sunday before determining whether to clear him to play and start suspension.
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) March 26, 2016
Bolch also mentioned on Twitter what Doc Rivers had to say following a Clippers training session, saying that Griffin looked “phenomenal”, adding that he was able to complete the entire session and his conditioning was even better than expected.
This is obviously excellent news for the Clippers and their fans, as a few tough losses against elite teams and embarrassing defeats to the starter-depleted Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans has emphasized just how much the team needs Griffin.
To hear that he’s in great condition is exactly what’s needed to continue the momentum from a thrilling victory and J.J. Redick buzzer beater to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 96-94.
Plus, the thought that he could start clearing his suspension as this article is written (on Sunday, March 27) is even better news.
Clippers now saying because it's a team-imposed suspension, Blake Griffin doesn't need to be on active list to begin serving his punishment.
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) March 26, 2016
If Griffin does start his suspension on March 27, his first game back will be on April 3 when the Clippers take on the Washington Wizards at home.
In the meantime, Clippers Nation can keep hoping that Griffin will be cleared on Sunday and can make a return on what should be an easily winnable game at home against the Wizards. If he is back then, he’ll have six more regular season games to adjust before the playoffs.
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Obviously, it’s not ideal. However, the Clippers will need to find their rhythm quickly in practices and games so they can acclimatize to playing with Griffin again before they’re faced with their first playoff series, most likely against the Memphis Grizzlies.