Golden State is the runaway leader in the Western Conference. The coveted No. 2 and 3 seeds seemed to be open when Kevin Durant left Oklahoma City this season and Tim Duncan retired from San Antonio.
The Clippers' hopes of claiming one of those spots were somewhat diminished when it was announced this week that Blake Griffin will miss three to six weeks following arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.
Griffin has struggled with the injury since the season began but has managed to compile outstanding statistics. He scored 21 points in a loss to Washington Sunday when he played 38 minutes. In 26 games this season he's averaged 21 points and nine rebounds,.
So, it isn't that he hasn't been helping the team. But ignoring what's wrong with the knee now could result in Griffin being unable to be at his best when the playoffs start in mid-April.
Griffin's injury, however, adds one more setback to the list that the Clippers have been experiencing in recent years which have prevented them from reaching the Western Conference playoff finals.
There was the collapse two seasons ago when they had a 3-1 series lead over Houston and a 19-point lead in the next game but lost the series.
Then there was last season, when the Clippers finished the regular season ahead of Portland but lost to the Trail Blazers in the playoffs after their stars, Griffin and Chris Paul, were both out of action due to injuries.
Griffin missed 35 games last season but was back and doing well until he was hurt again in the Portland playoff series.
The Clippers won 12 of their first14 games this season but have slumped since then and now have eight losses. They'll be home Thursday night against San Antonio and will the visiting team Sunday night against the Lakers.
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