NBA: Griffin apologizes for punches leading to broken hand

This is a Jan. 13, 2016, file photo showing Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin on the bench during the first half of an NBA game against the Miami Heat, in Los Angeles. Blake Griffin hurt his hand in an altercation with a member of the Los Angeles Clippers’ staff on the team’s current road trip and will be sidelined just as he was nearing a return from another injury. Coach Doc Rivers said Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, that the team would be releasing a statement about the incident and that it would be addressed more fully before the Clippers’ evening game in Indianapolis.AP File Photo

LOS ANGELES, United States—Blake Griffin apologized 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 Los Angeles Clippers in conjunction with the NBA are investigating the incident, which took place Saturday outside a Toronto restaurant, just as a torn quadriceps that has kept Griffin out for four weeks, was nearly healed.

READ: NBA: Clippers woe as Griffin hurt in punching incident

Griffin, a 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 that 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, the team announced.

“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.

READ: Clippers shrug off Griffin furor to down Pacers

“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. “We are conducting a full investigation with assistance from the NBA. At the conclusion of the investigation, appropriate action will be taken.”

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, but it did, and it’s real life and you have to deal with real life sometimes in our make-believe world.”