Los Angeles Clippers Blog – Page 26 – NBA Blog

Clippers re-assign Branden Dawson to D-League

The L.A. Clippers announced today they have assigned forward Branden Dawson to the Grand Rapids Drive of the NBA Development League pursuant to the Flexible Assignment System.

This is the third Development League assignment for Dawson and his second in Grand Rapids this season. Dawson played in seven games for the Drive from Dec. 4 – Dec. 24 and averaged 4.9 points and 4.0 rebounds in 16.1 minutes.

In 13 total games played for both Bakersfield and Grand Rapids this season, Dawson is averaging 5.5 points and 3.9 rebounds in 16.8 minutes.

With the Clippers, Dawson appeared in two games and is averaging 1.0 point and 1.5 rebounds.

Blake Griffin injured, will be re-evaluated in two weeks

The L.A. Clippers announced today that forward Blake Griffin suffered a partially torn left quad tendon during last night’s win over the Lakers. Griffin underwent an MRI this morning that revealed the injury.

The Clippers leading scorer did not accompany the team to Utah and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

Griffin is averaging 23.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 30 games (all starts) this season for the Clippers.

Russell Westbrook makes big donation to UCLA

Russell Westbrook is dominant on the basketball court, and has made a huge move off of it, as reported by the Oklahoman:

How does “Russell Westbrook Court” sound?

On Monday, UCLA announced that Westbrook has a made a “significant financial contribution” to its Mo Ostin Basketball Center project — the largest donation by a former basketball student-athlete in school history.

For his contribution, the university will honor Westbrook, who played two seasons at UCLA, by naming the new men’s basketball practice floor “Russell Westbrook Court.”

“When I heard that I was a little surprised,” Westbrook said Monday via conference call. “I can’t wait until it is all said and done to kind of go in there and shoot and see the court and see my name. It is going to be a great thing to see.”

Clippers assign Branden Dawson to D-League

The L.A. Clippers announced today they have assigned forward Branden Dawson to the Grand Rapids Drive of the NBA Development League pursuant to the Flexible Assignment System.

Dawson, a Second-Team All-Big Ten performer in his final season at Michigan State University finished his four-year career for the Spartans as the all-time leader in blocks (142), fifth in starts (121), sixth in steals (163) and seventh in rebounds (902).

This is the second Development League assignment for Dawson, who participated in six games for Bakersfield and averaged 6.3 points, 3.8 rebounds on 41.5% shooting from the field in 17.3 minutes.

He is one of three players in MSU history with 1,000 career points and 100 career blocks, joining Draymond Green and Adreian Payne.

Clippers assign C.J. Wilcox and Branden Dawson to D-League

The L.A. Clippers announced today they have assigned guard C.J. Wilcox and forward Branden Dawson to the NBA Development League’s Bakersfield Jam pursuant to the Flexible Assignment System.

Wilcox appeared in 21 games last season for the Clippers, averaging 2.0 points and 0.4 assists in 4.8 minutes of play. During the 2015 Orlando Pro Summer League, he posted averages of 14.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 steals in 32.0 minutes of play.

This is the third Development League assignment for Wilcox who appeared in five games for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants and averaged 13.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists during the 2014-15 season.

He is one of three players in MSU history with 1,000 career points and 100 career blocks, joining Draymond Green and Adreian Payne.

Both Wilcox and Dawson have yet to participate for the Clippers during the 2015-16 season.

Never call Chris Paul a bad teammate

Here’s the Orange County Register reporting on what you better not say to Clippers point guard Chris Paul:

Call him a wizard with the basketball. Call him a once-in-a-generation point guard. Call him competitive.

Call him out on not getting past the second round of the playoffs. Call him abrasive. Call him stubborn. Call him too demanding.

Clippers guard Chris Paul would probably be just fine with it.

But bad teammate?

“There are a lot of things you can say about me or what-not, but that’s not one,” Paul said. “I’m competitive and I want to win – you can say a whole lot of stuff about me – I’m not a saint by any means.

“But that’s the one thing you cannot say.”

Luc Mbah a Moute latches on with Clippers

Here’s the Long Beach Press-Telegram reporting on a solid player for a team to be able to bring off a pretty full bench:

It’s been quite an offseason for Luc Mbah a Moute. After playing 61 games for Philadelphia last season, the free-agent forward out of UCLA signed with the Sacramento Kings in mid-July.

Mbah a Moute failed a physical examination administered by the Kings, the contract was quickly voided and the players association filed a grievance on Mbah a Moute’s behalf.

Mbah a Moute ended up in Clippers camp and when the team waived forward-center Chuck Hayes on Saturday, that meant Mbah a Moute had made the roster. Not that he was told.

“They didn’t tell me I can’t be here anymore, so I’m here,” he said, laughingly, at practice Sunday morning.

Clippers waive Chuck Hayes

The L.A. Clippers announced today they have waived center/power forward Chuck Hayes.

Originally signed on August 31, 2015, Hayes appeared in four preseason games and averaged 0.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 6.7 minutes.

The Clippers roster now stands at 15.

Blake Griffin scores 29 in preseason win

Here’s the Los Angeles Daily News blog reporting on the Clippers and star power forward Blake Griffin, who appears ready for regular season action to begin. The Clippers on paper look like a championship contender, but the problem there is, plenty of other Western conference teams do as well. As for yesterday:

Clippers forward Blake Griffin led everyone with 29 points, J.J. Redick scored 15 and DeAndre Jordan had 10 points, 10 rebounds and four steals and the Clippers demolished Golden State 130-95 on Tuesday night in exhibition play at Staples Center.

Three reserves – Austin Rivers, Jamal Crawford and Josh Smith – all scored in double figures with Rivers getting 16 and Smith and Crawford 13 apiece.

The Clippers – now 2-3 in exhibition play – had lost their previous three games. They lost their most recent game – to Charlotte in China – by 42 points.

Austin Rivers still recovering from hard elbow to mouth

Here’s the Los Angeles Times reporting on Clippers guard Austin Rivers, who took a very hard elbow to the mouth that continues to affect him:

Clippers backup guard Austin Rivers has been to the dentist four times, including getting a root canal Saturday, to repair three teeth that were loosened and one that was knocked out by a wayward elbow from teammate Branden Dawson during a practice in China on Oct. 9.

“As long as they make it look good, that’s all I care about,” Rivers joked before the team practiced Sunday.

The contact happened when Rivers tried to block a layup attempted by Dawson. Rivers said he had never taken a worse blow to his mouth.

“They were kind of just hanging there,” Rivers said of his teeth. “And I had to stick my teeth back in my mouth.”