LA Clippers suspend Blake Griffin for punching team equipment manager so hard it broke his hand during Italian restaurant brawl in Toronto
- Blake Griffin broke his right hand punching his team's equipment manager
- The team suspended Griffin for four games and docket his wages for five
- The five-time All-Star's wages will be donated to charities in Los Angeles
- His latest injury will prevent him from playing for between four to six weeks
The Los Angeles Clippers have suspended forward Blake Griffin for four games and will withhold his pay for an additional contest for punching an equipment manager last month, the NBA team has confirmed.
The Clippers said the incident on January 23 in Toronto left the five-time All-Star nursing a broken hand which will prevent him from playing for between four to six weeks.
However the team, which said such violent conduct had no place in its organization, announced in addition to the four game suspension, he will be fined for five games and the money donated to local charities.
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Los Angeles Clippers have suspended forward Blake Griffin for four games and will withhold his pay for five
In a joint statement, team owner Steve Ballmer and his head coach Doc Rivers said: 'He understands his actions have consequences, and is eager to get back to work with his teammates, the organisation and Clipper Nation which starts immediately with rehab, appearances and attendance at games.'
The Clippers said the NBA assisted them in determining the five-time All-Star's punishment. The forfeited cash will be given to charities assisting disadvantaged youths.
The team said Blake wanted to spend time with the charities in question.
He was the Clippers first overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft.
The 26 year old averages 23.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game this season. He has not played since Christmas Day after he partially tore his left quadriceps tendon.
Griffin, pictured, broke his right hand punching the equipment manager in an Italian restaurant in Toronto
Griffin has not featured for the Clippers since Christmas Day because of a partially torn left quadriceps tendon
Griffin had almost fully recovered from his earlier injury when he punched the equipment manager.
During the fracas, Griffin broke a bone in his right hand after punching the staff member.
The player apologized for his conduct in a series of Tweets.
He wrote: 'A situation among friends escalated and I regret the way I handled myself towards someone I care about.
'I want to apologize to the Clippers organization, my teammates and the fans for creating a distraction. I am working with the team on a resolution and getting back in the game as soon as possible.'
The Clippers are 12-3 without Griffin in the lineup and at 29-16 rank fourth in the Western Conference.
Rivers added: 'You don't want it to happen to anyone, and you obviously don't want it to happen during the season. This type of stuff shouldn't happen, but it did, and it's real life and you have to deal with real life sometimes in our make-believe world.'
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