Clippers Suspend Blake Griffin Without Pay For Punching Team Employee

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Clippers forward Blake Griffin has been suspended without pay for four games for punching a team employee, the team announced Tuesday.

Griffin - who broke his right shooting hand and will be out another four-to-six weeks after not playing since Dec. 26 because of a different injury - punched assistant equipment manager Matias Testi at a Toronto restaurant on Jan. 23, according to reports.

In addition to the suspension, Griffin's wages will be withheld for one additional game, officials said.

The Clippers will donate the salary from the five games to charities focused on disadvantaged youth in Los Angeles. Griffin is expected to "support this activity with his time", the team said.

A joint statement issued by Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Doc Rivers said in part: "We have made it clear that this conduct has no place in the Clippers organization. Blake is remorseful and has apologized for his actions.

"He is a valued member of our Clippers family and we support him as he rejoins the team," the statement said.

Last month, Griffin posted an image on Twitter recounting what he says was a "situation among friends [that] escalated".

The Clippers have gone 16-4 without Griffin and will conclude a four-game road trip Wednesday night in Boston.

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