Clippers say Blake Griffin’s debut date still undecided

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The Clippers today disputed a report that injured rookie forward Blake Griffin would make his debut Jan. 20, and said the date of his first game remained undecided.

‘We have no target date,’ the team said in a statement. ‘The final stages of this process are yet to unfold, and it’s not possible for anyone to predict its precise outcome.’

Griffin has yet to play because of a stress fracture in his left kneecap. But he’s been undergoing a rehabilitation regimen, and Yahoo Sports, quoting an unidentified source in the NBA, reported that the Clippers had targeted his debut for Jan. 20, when the Clippers play the Chicago Bulls at Staples Center. The Clippers then leave on a rigorous eight-game road trip.

Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy said Tuesday that Griffin was steadily progressing in his workouts. ‘He’s on a treadmill running full speed’ and has been ‘doing stuff on the court as far as shooting – low-impact stuff – but the guy keeps getting ramped up,’ he said.

Asked if the Clippers anticipated the league’s No. 1 draft pick playing a specific role when he finally arrives, Dunleavy said, ‘I’ll just be happy to get him out there. At this point, there aren’t a whole lot of expectations as far as where he’s at.’

-- Jim Peltz