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Detroit Pistons star Blake Griffin didn't play in Sunday's ugly Game 1 loss against the Milwaukee Bucks, but the big man claimed afterward he would've played if the decision was solely up to him:
Blake Griffin: “If it was my decision, I’d be playing.” Called it a “complex” situation. #Pistons.
— VinceEllis (@AlabamaScribe56) April 15, 2019
While Griffin obviously wants to play, a report also came out overnight suggesting he could miss the entire first-round series due to his nagging knee injury. There's reportedly no structural damage in the knee, but he might wind up needing a procedure done this offseason.
Griffin was having a career year before this knee injury started bothering him toward the end of the regular season. The Pistons got in the playoffs on the last day of the season thanks to a win over the New York Knicks, a game in which Griffin didn't play.
It would've been tough enough to upset the mighty Bucks with a healthy Griffin, but the Pistons are now severely outmanned with their All-Star sidelined. That was plainly evident Sunday, when Milwaukee bashed Detroit from the opening tip. The Bucks ran out to a 38-18 lead after one quarter and never looked back, earning a 121-86 victory.
Former Bucks big man Thon Maker started in place of Griffin, and he struggled to the tune of four points on 2-of-10 shooting in 22 minutes. Nobody is going to replace Griffin's 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game alone, but the Pistons are going to need a team effort to try to make this somewhat competitive if he ultimately misses the whole series.
