Clippers forward Blake Griffin will sit out against Pelicans

The Clippers will be without starting power forward Blake Griffin when they host the Pelicans at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night.

Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said on Friday that the team was watching Griffin’s knee, which has been sore in recent days. Griffin also had swelling in his right calf earlier this season and rested during the Clippers’ double-overtime loss at Brooklyn on Nov. 29.

“It’s not the knee that was injured, it’s the other knee and it’s just nothing big, he’ll play Monday,” Rivers said before the Pelicans game at the Staples Center.

“No, you won’t watch him tonight,” Rivers continued. “You can watch him, but he’s not going to play.”

Shooting guard Austin Rivers will start in Griffin’s place, meaning the Clippers are opting to go small with Chris Paul, J.J. Redick, Rivers, Luc Mbah a Moute and DeAndre Jordan. The team will also be without backup point guard Raymond Felton, who is still not back with the team following the death of his grandmother.

Griffin is averaging 20.7 points and nine rebounds per game this season. The Clippers (16-7) have lost five of seven games since starting 14-2. They beat the Pelicans (7-16), 114-96, on Dec. 2.

“We’re just not going to take any chances with anyone,” Doc Rivers said regarding Griffin. “And it’s not that big of a deal; we just feel like it’s a long season.”

“There are going to be nights where guys aren’t happy about not playing, but that’s really good when you think about it. But this is the smart thing to do.”

But the Clippers won’t be the only ones without a key player in their lineup on Saturday.

Pelicans Coach Alvin Gentry also announced big man Anthony Davis would sit out as well.

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Twitter: @dougherty_jesse