Clippers' Griffin to be game-time decision against Lakers

WASHINGTON - Five-time All-Star forward Blake Griffin will be a game-time decision when the Los Angeles Clippers play the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on Friday.

Griffin has missed the past 14 games because of a sprained left knee, which he sustained in a 120-115 victory against the Lakers on Nov. 27.

He was originally expected to miss eight weeks, but has made rapid progress in his rehabilitation.

"I just know his work ethic has to have something to do with it," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. "He gets a lot of heat for getting injured, but no one gives him credit for getting healthy. He works his butt off like no one I've ever seen."

Griffin indicated the possibility of a return, but he also said it's a group decision. "Kind of taking each day one day at a time. I haven't really put a lot of thought into anything else. I'm just attacking the rehab and every challenge that they give me every single day. So it's all kind of subjective on how things go."

"That's why we have the team doctors," he said. "That's why we have the training staff that we do. They have done a great job so far putting together obviously a rehab plan and pushing me and getting to this point. So, it'll continue to be a team thing."