Report: Blake Griffin leaves Clippers' road trip with hand injury

Just as it appeared as if Blake Griffin was close to making his return for the Los Angeles Clippers, a new injury may keep him on the sidelines even longer.

Traveling with his team during their ongoing five-game road trip, the 26-year-old forward has returned home after suffering a hand injury, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.

This injury is completely unrelated to the torn quadriceps muscle which has kept him out of action for the past 14 games.

The Clippers have found success without the services of their five-time All-Star, going 11-3 with him sidelined. However, only two of their wins (Miami Heat and Houston Rockets) have come against teams with a record above .500.

In 30 games prior to his injury, Griffin averaged 23.2 points on 50.8 percent shooting, along with 8.7 rebounds and five assists in 34.9 minutes.

The team will finish up its trip with games against the Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, before returning to the Staples Center on Friday to host the Los Angeles Lakers.

Griffin had already been ruled out by the Clippers for the entire road trip, with a team spokesman telling the Los Angeles Times' Ben Bolch that he wants to get back into game shape before returning to the active roster.