Blake Griffin clears MRI; Chris Paul recovering well – Status for Game 6 still uncertain - NBA Update
Blake Griffin and Chris Paul are the face of Los Angeles Clippers. Every time Clips are in a bad spot, both of these players place themselves on the line and often go on to test their physical limits.
The same thing happened on Wednesday night, when the Clippers were looking for their 1st series win since 2006. Memphis Grizzlies however played like if their lives depended on the game and managed to stay alive in the 1st round by handing a 92-80 defeat to Clips.
The Clippers put up a valiant fight and deep in the game, looked set for another mammoth comeback. However, in yet another mushy game of an exceptionally physical series, Chris Paul suffered a strained right hip flexor and also jammed his middle finger while Blake Griffin injured his left knee in the fourth quarter.
Both the player spent most of time in Thursday’s practice session with the medical staff and according to Vinny Del Negro, the Clippers coach, their participation in the all important Game 6 will be a game time decision;
"They're both pretty sore today," Negro told ESPNLosAngeles.com. "They were in here getting as much therapy as they can today and tomorrow before the game. We obviously need both of them to be playing at a high level."
Blake has been in the spotlight throughout the season. His ability to take bold shots in the presence of tight defences always pushes him into the danger zone. He has been subjected to flagrant fouls more than any other player in the league and although Marc Gasol was just protecting his rim, Griffin finally broke down after landing awkwardly. Blake seemed to twist his knee and even though, he returned to the game shortly afterwards but was seen hobbling around.
Griffin had an MRI on Thursday, which showed no structural damage, according to a statement released by the team.
"Griffin underwent an MRI [Thursday] in Los Angeles which confirmed that there was no structural damage to the knee," the team said.
Chris Paul was initially diagnosed with injured groin, but after having detailed examination, it was classified as right hip flexor strain. He spent the last minutes of the game 5 on the bench and also jammed his finger in the 1st frame.
However Paul vowed to be on the court in game 6.
“I’ll be ready,” he said, adding that both he and Griffin are “tough guys.”
While Griffin has just started to get going in the series, CP3 has just been sensational. He has been the driving force behind the Clippers success so far in the playoffs and even if he gets his minutes reduced in the next game, that will be a telling blow for the Californians.
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