Report: Blake Griffin played knowing there was ‘strong possibility’ he would reinjure quad

Blake Griffin was reportedly taking a significant risk in returning to the Los Angeles Clippers this season, and he knew it, too.

According to Bleacher Report’s Kevin Ding, Griffin was aware that it was a “strong possibility” that he would re-tear his left quadriceps tendon if he tried to return for the playoffs, but elected to do so anyway. The quad, of course, was the injury that cost him much of the regular season.

Griffin even declined to have surgery late in December because it would have ended his season, and he wanted to help the Clippers during the playoffs. He knew that the decision would cost him a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, but made it anyway.

The worst case scenario obviously happened, and Griffin’s season is over despite his efforts to get back.

Griffin has faced plenty of questions about his conduct after this incident, but it sounds like he was very devoted to the Clippers and did everything he could to help them in a playoff run. It just didn’t work out.