Griffin apologizes for restaurant punch-up

Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin apologized on Wednesday for an incident that led to him punching an equipment manager and sustaining a broken right hand that will sideline him from four to six weeks.

The Clippers and the NBA are investigating the incident, which took place on Saturday outside a Toronto restaurant, just as a torn quadriceps that has sidelined Griffin for four weeks, was nearly healed.

The five-time NBA All-Star broke a bone in his right hand while punching a Clippers equipment manager. The Orange County Register reported the two had an argument in the restaurant and Griffin hit the manager several times once they were outside.

Griffin returned to Los Angeles on Monday for X-rays and had surgery on Tuesday.

"A situation among friends escalated and I regret the way I handled myself towards someone I care about," Griffin posted on Twitter.

"I want to apologize to the Clippers organization, my teammates and the fans for creating a distraction. I am working with the team on a resolution and getting back in the game as soon as possible."

The Clippers are 12-3 without Griffin in the lineup and at 29-16 rank fourth in the Western Conference.

"This conduct has no place in our organization and this incident does not represent who we are as a team," the Clippers said in a statement.

Clippers coach Doc Rivers was frustrated at the situation.

"You don't want it to happen to anyone, and you obviously don't want it to happen during the season," Rivers said. "This type of stuff shouldn't happen at all."