Blake Griffin says he's ready to return whenever Pistons 'give me the green light'
The Detroit Pistons could get their star player back soon.
Blake Griffin hasn’t played yet this season even though he was expected to start the season two weeks ago. Griffin battled a knee injury toward the end of the 2018-19 regular season and missed the first two games of a first-round series sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks in the playoffs. He had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in April.
Griffin ready for green light to come back
Griffin missed the start of the season with soreness while he rehabs the knee and his hamstring. The Pistons announced ahead of the season opener he would be out at least until early November.
It looks as though that timeline — for those comfortable calling it that— is on track. From Shams Charania at The Athletic:
“I feel great and I’m ready to go whenever they give me the green light,” he said.
“I’m close, very close. The training staff tells me it’s one day at a time. They tell me what I’m doing the next day, and that’s it, because they know I’d go crazy if I have a timetable.”
Charania reports that Detroit is expected to reexamine Griffin on Wednesday.
The six-time All-Star led the Pistons in points and assists last season and they reached the postseason for the first time in three years as a No. 8 seed. He averaged 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.
Pistons experience early injuries
The Pistons (3-4) have stayed above water enough in Griffin’s absence to hold eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings.
The new season has come with its own injury setbacks. Point guard Reggie Jackson played sparingly in only two of six early games due to back troubles. He’ll be out at least four weeks with a stress reaction in his lower back, Yahoo Sports’ Vincent Goodwill reported Saturday.
Following a Monday game against the Washington Wizards, the Pistons will play the New York Knicks on Wednesday and Indiana Pacers on Friday.
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