USA - Clippers confirm Griffin will miss Olympics

LOS ANGELES (Olympics/NBA) - The Los Angeles Clippers have announced that power forward Blake Griffin suffered a medial meniscus tear of his left knee while working out with Team USA in Las Vegas and will not play at the Olympics.

Griffin had only recently made the 12-man USA squad but will now be forced to undergo arthroscopic surgery.

While unable to compete in London, the 23-year-old will be ready for the start of the Clippers' training camp.

USA Basketball have yet to announce which player will replace Griffin in the Olympic squad.

Two members of the USA's World Championship-winning team, Eric Gordon and Rudy Gay, and Anthony Davis were the last three players cut by the Americans.

The injury to Griffin will prevent fans from seeing one of the most exciting talents in the sport.

In a team statement, Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said: "Missing out on the Olympic experience will be tough for him to take.

"I know how dedicated he was to doing that.

"We're glad we can get this fixed now and take advantage of the available time for him to fully recover."

In the statement, the Clippers added: "Griffin experienced discomfort following Wednesday's Team USA practice in Las Vegas.

"He underwent a magnetic resonance imaging examination on Thursday afternoon in Los Angeles.

"MRI data was then analyzed by Clippers' Team Physician, Dr. Steven Shimoyama, and Dr. Neal ElAttrache of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic.

"The surgery is expected to take place fairly soon, and will be scheduled following Griffin's appointment with Dr. ElAttrache on Sunday."

Davis, who was selected as the number one overall pick in last month's NBA Draft by the New Orleans Hornets, joined the team on Thursday and played in the team's friendly against the Dominican Republic.

The USA prevailed 113-59 over the Dominicans, who just played in the final qualifying game of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Caracas and lost to Nigeria.

FIBA