OKLAHOMA CITY — Clippers All-Star forward Blake Griffin needs surgery to remove a staph infection in his right elbow, and coach Doc Rivers says it “could be a while” before he returns.

The team made the announcement Sunday before its game against the Thunder.

Griffin will undergo the surgery Monday in Los Angeles. He will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break.
Rivers says he doesn’t know when Griffin will return. Spencer Hawes will start in Griffin’s place against the Thunder.

Griffin is averaging 22.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists while shooting 50.1 percent from the field. He was third in the league’s MVP balloting last year.