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Report: Blake Griffin Out "Weeks" After Hitting Equipment Staffer and Fracturing Hand

This is not a great look for Blake Griffin.

Blake Griffin has been out of the Clippers lineup since December 26th with a torn quadriceps muscle, though he has been traveling with the team. He unexpectedly left the team last night during a five-game road trip, however, and according to a report from ESPN last night, it was due to an "undisclosed team-related incident" that left him with a potential fractured hand. This morning, ESPN's Michael Eaves reported that Griffin left the team because he fractured his hand after striking a member of the equipment staff.

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#Clippers forward Blake Griffin injured his right hand after hitting a member of the team's equipment staff during an argument in Toronto
— Michael Eaves (@michaeleaves) January 26, 2016

The altercation started in a restaurant. It proceeded outside where Griffin hit the equipment staffer multiple times. #Clippers
— Michael Eaves (@michaeleaves) January 26, 2016

That is … not good. The staffer actually left the restaurant after the initial confrontation and Griffin followed him outside and hit him again. The staffer had to go to the hospital to treat injuries to his face.

Griffin had been expected back soon—he had hoped to return to the lineup during the current road trip—but now the fractured hand is expected to delay his return "a matter of weeks, as opposed to days." He might miss even more time, assuming the team or the league (or the police!) looks into this incident.

Update: Clippers ownership has released a statement, confirming Griffin injured his hand throwing a punch.

The #Clippers statement on Blake Griffin pic.twitter.com/ZxlLJ97097
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) January 26, 2016

[ESPN]