Blake Griffin Injures hand After Fighting with Team Employee

Los Angeles Clippers Blake Griffin sustained a right hand injury after he got into a physical altercation with a team employee, several media outlets are reporting.

According to these sources, the 26-year-old power forward got into an argument with a member of the Clippers' equipment staff. The argument escalated and Griffin reportedly hit the staff member when they were out at a restaurant in Toronto. After the staff member left, Griffin reportedly followed him outside and hit him again.

ESPN's Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne reported early Tuesday morning that Griffin is believed to have had fractured his hand. The injury could keep him out for "a matter of weeks, as opposed to days." ESPN's Michael Eaves stated that the equipment manager had injuries to his face.

Griffin and the staff member were reportedly sent back to Los Angeles following the fight.

Clippers head coach Doc Rivers and team owner Steve Ballmer released this joint statement via Dan Woike of the Orange County Register:

"L.A. Clippers forward Blake Griffin suffered a spiral fracture of the fourth metacarpal in his right hand throwing a punch on Jan. 23 in Toronto.

This conduct has no place in our organization and this incident does not represent who we are as a team. We are conducting a full investigation with assistance from the NBA. At the conclusion of the investigation, appropriate action will be taken.

Griffin received X-rays on Jan. 25th in Los Angeles that revealed the injury and he underwent a procedure on his hand Tuesday morning. The procedure was performed by Dr. Steve Shin. Recovery time from the injury is approximately four to six weeks."

Griffin has been out since Dec. 26 due to a torn quadriceps. Before his injury last month, Griffin was averaging a team-high 23.2 points with 8.7 rebounds and five assists so far this season.

Without Griffin, the Clippers have fared pretty well, going 11-3. They are currently fourth in the Western Conference with a 28-16 record.

The Clippers will be playing the Indiana Pacers Tuesday night at 7:00 pm. ET.