Blake Griffin Suspended for Punching Team Staffer

Blake Griffin will be suspended 4 games without pay for punching assistant equipment manager Matias Testi on January 23.

Griffin reportedly punched Testi repeatedly during a heated confrontation while the team was in Toronto.

Testi was treated for facial lacerations at a nearby hospital and has since experienced debilitating headaches.

The suspension and injury will put Griffin out of action for 4-6 weeks, or perhaps longer, jeopardizing the Clippers' playoff run.

Griffin has undergone two surgical procedures in his recovery from the fracture and is expected to miss significant time.

A two-month recovery, along with the suspension, should put Griffin on-course for a return to action in the last week of the regular season.

Griffin has apologized to Testi and the NBA world at large for his actions, and Clippers head coach Doc Rivers has reassured both parties that they would be welcomed back to the organization.

The Clippers have gone 17-4 in Griffin's absence, but a soft schedule and a resurgence from Chris Paul has mostly accounted for that.

Griffin's averages prior to the fight and the quad injury were 23.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, and five assists per game while shooting 50.8 percent from the field.

The deferred salary will be donated to disadvantaged youth in Los Angeles, and Griffin will also support the cause with his time.