DETROIT _ In a move that was expected, the Detroit Pistons announced All-Star forward Blake Griffin underwent surgery Tuesday on the troublesome left knee that caused him to miss 18 games this season.
The release declined to give a timetable for a possible return, saying he will undergo an "extended rehabilitation" but the expectation is Griffin won't play again this season.
The Pistons medical staff has examined Griffin and the consensus was that surgery was needed to deal with the problem that's been an issue since late last season.
A source tells the Free Press that Griffin, 30, was dealing with the same issues that left him hobbled near the end of last season and in the playoffs. There was soreness and loose bodies in the knee, which was surgically repaired in April.
In his last game _ a 27-point loss at San Antonio on Dec. 28 _ Griffin struggled to score against players such as Trey Lyles and Jakob Poeltl.
Averaging a career-low in points (15.5), rebounds (4.7) and minutes (24.8) per game, Griffin has missed 19 of the team's 37 games this season. He has attributed his struggles to not being in rhythm, though it's apparent the knee _ which held him out to start the season _ has been the problem.
"It doesn't help, but like I said, I've never really been an excuse guy, so just got to do better," Griffin said last month.
"That's the bottom line."
At halftime of Thursday night's loss to the Clippers, Pistons owner Tom Gores was asked about the possibility.
"We haven't gotten that far," Gores said. "We're just going to assess it in the next week or so. He's a trooper. If Blake could play, he'd be playing. We're giving him a few days of rest and see what happens."
It's expected Griffin should be ready for a regular summer workout schedule.
The Pistons (13-24) are slipping out of the playoff race in the East, having lost 11 of their last 13 games. They are 3.5 games out of the eighth and final playoff spot and have had discussions on trading starting center Andre Drummond.
Griffin is owed $75.5 million over the next two seasons, so trade relief is unlikely with his injury history and being sidelined for the season.
The Pistons could apply for a Disabled Player Exception worth $9.2 million. The DPE could be used for a roster move later this season, but remember, the Pistons are pushing up against the luxury tax.
