Clippers’ Blake Griffin says he is ‘very close’ to returning from hand injury

Griffin fractured his right hand when he punched a Clippers equipment manager during an altercation in January.

Clippers forward Blake Griffin says he should be able to return to the court soon as he continues to recover from a broken hand.

“Very close,” he said on the status of his return, according to the Associated Press. “I’m not exactly sure a timetable, but very close.”

Griffin fractured his right hand when he punched Clippers equipment manager Matias Testi during an altercation in January. Griffin was suspended four games for the incident and has undergone two surgeries on the injury.

• GOLLIVER: Griffin among players under the most playoff pressure

Griffin was rehabbing a partially torn quadriceps muscle when the altercation occurred and he has not appeared in a game since Christmas Day. In 30 games this season, Griffin has averaged 22.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.

The Clippers are in fourth place in the Western Conference with a 39–20 record and have gone 22–7 in Griffin’s absence.

- Erin Flynn