Blake Griffin will make his Brooklyn Nets debut against the Washington Wizards on Sunday. Griffin said he would have a few minutes restriction.
Griffin last played on Feb. 12 against the Boston Celtics when he was still a member of the Detroit Pistons. After agreeing to a buyout with Detroit and signing with Brooklyn, Griffin met with Nets training staff and devised a plan to return to the game to get him back in shape.
“Nobody stays for a month, then they come back and play right away,” Griffin told ESPN. “So I just want to be smart and listen to people who know what I’m talking about and make sure I get the best opportunity to come in and contribute and be healthy for the playoffs and beyond.”
While he was listed for maintenance on his left knee, Griffin was convinced he had never been injured. On Sunday morning, Griffin said Nets training staff had taken a comprehensive approach to his increased workload and not just focused on his knees.
Griffin traveled with the Nets on his most recent road trip to Indiana and worked with Nets and Kevin Durant’s training staff, who missed the last 13 Nets games with a hamstring strain. Brooklyn has played a total of four games without Griffin since signing with the franchise.
The 32-year-old Griffin has played in 20 games for Detroit this season and has averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists.