Blake Griffin's knee surgery successful, Clippers say

The Clippers said today that rookie forward Blake Griffin underwent successful surgery to repair his damaged knee at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Center in Los Angeles.

Griffin, the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NBA draft, suffered a stress fracture in his left kneecap during the Clippers' final preseason game Oct. 23.

He had hoped to make his debut early this year after months of rehabilitation, but the Clippers said last week that ongoing problems with the knee would require surgery and that Griffin, 20, would miss the entire season.

The surgery this morning "couldn't have gone better," Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed the operation, said in a statement. Griffin's rehabilitation from the surgery is expected to take four to six months.

--Jim Peltz

Photo: Clippers rookie Blake Griffin, left, greets teammate Chris Kaman during the Clippers game against the Miami Heat on Jan. 10 at Staples Center. Credit: Gus Ruelas / Associated Press