NBA: How major injuries to star players has impacted the 2017-18 season

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 19: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts in the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets during their game at Barclays Center on November 19, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 27: DeAndre Jordan #6 of the LA Clippers reacts to his foul with Blake Griffin #32 during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on November 27, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Injury

Blake Griffin suffered a sprained MCL and will miss up to two months. This is the third season in a row that Blake will miss significant time. He has not played 70 games in a season since 2013-14.

Impact

When Blake Griffin inked a five-year, max contract worth $173 million dollars this summer, there were some serious red flags. The 5-time All-Star has had a difficult time staying on the floor recently and many felt it was time for the Clippers to completely clean house.

When healthy, Griffin absolutely demands this kind of money. He has improved every year he has been in the league and, as his athleticism has declined, he has become one of the league’s most skilled big men. He had finally developed a reliable 3-point shot this season and a 4-0 start had the Clippers looking like real players in the West.

Now, after Griffin’s injury, the Clippers sit at 9-15 and it looks like their season is all but over. If Griffin can’t stay healthy, you have to wonder what his future in LA looks like. The Clippers have to change something and it appears that a rebuild is on the horizon.

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