The 2016 year just continues to become progressively worse for Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin

Sidelined since December 26 with a partially torn left quadriceps tendon and a broken shooting hand from punching team assistant equipment manager Matias Testi on January 23, the five-time NBA All-Star has seen Chris Paul & Co. soar to an 18-4 surge in his absence. 

This absence will continue following Griffin's four to six-week recovery from the hand injury, as the high-flying star has been handed a four-game suspension without pay from the Clippers for the incident. 

Griffin will be docked $859,442 in his four-game sabbatical in addition to a fifth game that he will be held without pay as an added punishment to the suspension.

Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images

The team plans to donate the lost salary from Griffin's paycheck to charities which assist local disadvantaged youth in the Los Angeles area. 

Team owner Steve Ballmer and head coach Doc Rivers issued a joint statement on Tuesday afternoon, which read (via ESPN): ""We have made it clear that this conduct has no place in the Clippers organization." 

"Blake is remorseful and has apologized for his actions. He is a valued member of our Clippers family and we support him as he rejoins the team."

The incident occurred while Los Angeles was in Toronto on a road trip, with Griffin being sent home immediately after. He has not rejoined the squad, which has garnered wins in seven of their last eight games, since. 

Prior to his string of injuries, Griffin had posted per game averages of 23.2 points and 8.7 rebounds. His PER to date sits at 23.60, good for 10th in the NBA directly above Sacramento Kings superstar DeMarcus Cousins, who stands in the 11th spot with a PER of 23.28

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Liam OBrien
Just a Boston man who loves sports. Oh, and writing is kind of a priority.