BOSTON — A player of Blake Griffin’s caliber breaking his hand and having to miss more than a month would cripple a lot of NBA teams. The former No. 1 draft pick makes such a strong impact, particularly offensively, and at his best he ranks among the top MVP candidates.
The Los Angeles Clippers haven’t skipped a beat without Griffin. In fact, they have been one of the league’s best teams since he left the lineup after Christmas with a quad injury and then broke his shooting hand a few weeks later.
Griffin last played on Christmas Day against the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Clippers have an 18-4 record since then. Only the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs have fewer losses in that span.
One of the primary reasons for L.A.’s success without Griffin has been point guard Chris Paul elevating his game at both ends of the floor, all without a hike in his minutes or usage, which points to how efficient he’s been.
“Chris started out with all the injuries, and then Blake goes out, so we need more of Chris,” Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said at Wednesday’s shootaround, where his team prepared to play the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.
“Up until the last two games, which I actually don’t like how we’ve been playing, we hadn’t upped his minutes at all, or his usage. In the last two games, his minutes are up and his usage is up. He’s guarding the best player all game now.”
Paul’s offensive production, in particular, has increased since Griffin exited the lineup. He’s averaging 21.1 points per game, nearly three more than when Griffin was healthy, and he’s also shooting better from the floor and 3-point land. Paul’s 115.2 offensive efficiency rating in January was by far his best in a single month this season.
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Paul, who’s always been an elite playmaker, also is making sure his teammates are involved. He’s averaging 10.3 assists in the 22 games Griffin has missed, including nine or more assists in 12 of those games.
Paul is finding guys in the right spots, too, especially shooting guard J.J. Redick, who’s converted nearly 50 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc in Griffin’s absence.
There’s no question the Clippers are at their best when Griffin is healthy and playing. He’s an elite power forward and arguably one of the league’s 10-best players.
But you have to give Paul a lot of credit for helping the Clippers not only stay afloat in a difficult, competitive Western Conference without their best player, but actually thrive in that situation.
Home court advantage is so crucial in the NBA playoffs, and Paul’s stellar play in Griffin’s absence has kept the Clippers in the fourth seed, where they’d have the home court in Round 1 against a beatable opponent.
Thumbnail photo via Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports Images
