NBA officials interview Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan and Joe Resendez about Blake Griffin’s fight
Blake Griffin, left, and DeAndre Jordan enjoy a light moment on the Clippers bench during a game against Sacramento on Oct. 29.
Clippers center DeAndre Jordan and Joe Resendez, the team’s assistant athletic trainer/travel manager, were interviewed Wednesday in Atlanta by NBA security investigating the fight in which Blake Griffin was involved with a team employee, The Times has learned.
BILL PLASCHKE: Clippers must send a clear message and severely punish Blake Griffin
Jordan and Resendez were at the restaurant in Toronto on Saturday night when Griffin punched assistant equipment manager Matias Testi. NBA officials were trying to find out what Jordan and Resendez knew about the altercation during the dinner that all four attended, according to several league officials who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
The NBA soon will interview Griffin, who broke his right hand and will be out four to six weeks and possibly will face a fine or suspension by the league once the investigation is complete, one official said.
The NBA also plans to interview Testi, who suffered a badly swollen face.
The NBA investigative team is checking to see whether there is video of the incident from the restaurant, according to a league official.
According to a person with knowledge of the situation who spoke with The Times, Griffin and Testi had engaged in what has become their typical back-and-forth trash-talking when things became heated and Griffin punched Testi during an fight inside the restaurant that continued outside.
Griffin returned home Sunday from Toronto, and Testi, who traveled with the Clippers to Indiana for Tuesday night’s game against the Pacers, returned to Los Angeles on Monday.
Update: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said that Jordan and Resendez were interviewed by NBA security officials Tuesday in Indiana.
Twitter: @BA_Turner
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