Detroit Pistons head coach Dwane Casey says All-Star power forward Blake Griffin is unlikely to play in the team's third preseason game on Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Casey says veteran small forward Joe Johnson will see more minutes as a result.
#Pistons’ Blake Griffin is unlikely to play tonight, per Dwane Casey, against the #Cavs. Also, expect Joe Johnson to get more run tonight.
— James L. Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) October 11, 2019
The Pistons made the playoffs last season, but got swept by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first-round. Griffin only played in Games 3 and 4 of that series due to a knee injury which required surgery after the season ended.
Griffin, who is a six-time All-Star now, made the All-Star team last season for the first time since the 2014-15 campaign. He averaged 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.4 assists while shooting 46.2 percent from the field, 36.2 percent from beyond the arc and 75.3 percent from the free-throw line.
With Griffin and Andre Drummond leading the charge, the Pistons should make the playoffs again this season. Detroit signed former MVP Derrick Rose and small forward Markieff Morris in free agency, two veterans who will help the team with scoring off the bench. Rose and Morris have already gotten off to strong starts for the Pistons in the preseason.
Griffin will likely sit out a few games during the regular season as well. The Pistons need the high-flyer to be as close to 100 percent once the postseason starts.
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