No. 1 pick Blake Griffin to skip US minicamp because of injured right shoulder

No. 1 pick Griffin sidelined with shoulder injury

LAS VEGAS — Blake Griffin has pulled out of USA Basketball’s minicamp because of a strained right shoulder, possibly hurting the No. 1 pick’s chances of playing next year in the world championships.

USA Basketball officials were told Wednesday that Griffin was unable to play because he was injured during the third of the Los Angeles Clippers’ five summer league games. He will spend the next three to four weeks resting the shoulder.

U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski said Tuesday he was looking forward to seeing Griffin play this week.

Griffin averaged 19.2 points and 10.8 rebounds in the summer league and was chosen the league’s MVP. Clippers physician Dr. Steven Shimoyama diagnosed the injury Tuesday and Dr. Lewis Yocum confirmed the diagnosis after an examination Wednesday.

The minicamp is being used to identify candidates for available spots on the U.S. team in the world championships. Griffin could still be invited to compete for a spot next summer.