Sports

Griffin To Miss Start Of Season

October 23, 2019 / 8:49 AM EDT / CBS Detroit

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The Detroit Pistons will begin the season without star forward Blake Griffin, whose injury issues have flared up again.

The Pistons said Tuesday that Griffin would not travel for Wednesday night's game at Indiana and would continue a treatment and conditioning regimen for left hamstring and posterior knee soreness. He will be re-evaluated for a return the first week of November.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 28: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons drives around Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on March 28, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 115-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Griffin was mostly healthy last season until the very end, when he was limited in the playoffs. He had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in the offseason.

Griffin averaged 35.0 minutes per game last season, his most since 2014-15, and averaged a career-high 24.5 points. Coach Dwane Casey admitted at media day that the Pistons "rode him like a cheap horse" — and suggested that they might manage his minutes a bit more conservatively going forward.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 07: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic tries to get a first half shot off past Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons during a preseason game at Little Caesars Arena on October 07, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

First-round draft pick Sekou Doumbouya (concussion protocol) is not traveling to Indiana either, and Markieff Morris (low back tightness) is questionable. Point guard Reggie Jackson (low back tightness) is probable.