Blake Griffin out of Pistons lineup against Wizards

Published

DETROIT (AP) Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin will miss Thursday's game against the Washington Wizards because of an ankle injury.

The announcement was made about a half-hour before a game Detroit needs to win to keep its faint playoff hopes alive. The Pistons trail the Milwaukee Bucks by five games for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot with eight games left.

Griffin is averaging 19.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.8 assists since being traded to Detroit on Jan. 29.