NBA notebook: Clippers F Griffin may return Friday

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 practiced with the Clippers G League affiliate, the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario, on Wednesday and rejoined his Los Angeles teammates for another practice Thursday.

–Golden State Warriors star point guard Stephen Curry was ruled out for Friday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets but he could return Saturday, according to coach Steve Kerr.

Curry, who is recovering from a sprained right ankle, will sit out for the 11th straight game on Friday. But he participated in parts of practice Thursday and took part in a 3-on-3 scrimmage afterward, prompting optimism he might be able to play Saturday against the Memphis Grizzlies.

“I don’t think it would make much sense, but I think he’s probably going to want to (play),” Kerr told reporters. “But it’s more likely he plays Saturday. If all goes well, I expect him to play Saturday, but even if it goes well, I’m not expecting him to play (Friday).”

Curry last played on Dec. 4. The Warriors are 9-1 without his services.

–Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul has been ruled out for Thursday’s game against the Boston Celtics, the team announced.

Paul is missing his third straight contest since sustaining a left adductor strain in the fourth quarter of a 122-116 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 20.

“He wants to (play). Trying to hold him back is hard,” coach Mike D’Antoni told the Houston Chronicle. “We want to make sure he’s 100 percent. I’m confident against the Lakers at home (on Monday) he’ll be back. I’m hopeful for one of these two games, but I don’t want to go there yet.”

A nine-time All-Star, Paul is averaging 17.1 points, 9.0 assists and 2.1 steals for the Rockets (25-7).

–Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Jeff Teague will be out two to four weeks with a sprained left knee, according to multiple reports.

An MRI exam detected the seriousness of the injury but also displayed there was no structural damage.

Teague injured the knee in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets. The 29-year-old Teague is averaging 13.4 points and 7.2 assists this season in his first campaign with the Timberwolves.