Umukino-Kinyarwanda, Rwanda Sports, African Football, European Football, Soccer, Rugby, Tennis, Basketball

Blake Griffin will have surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee, and the U.S. forward will miss the Olympics.

Griffin returned to Los Angeles on Thursday for further evaluation after reporting discomfort in the same knee that bothered him in the playoffs following Wednesday’s practice. The Clippers said he will require arthroscopic surgery and should be ready for training camp.

“We’re relieved that this does not affect Blake’s ability to be ready in time for training camp,” Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said in a statement. “Missing out on the Olympic experience will be tough for him to take. I know how dedicated he was to doing that.”

USA Basketball officials said after the U.S. team’s 113-59 victory over the Dominican Republic on Thursday night in Las Vegas that they hadn’t been told Griffin would be forced to pull out.

Once he does, the Americans will be able to replace him on their 12-man roster, likely with Anthony Davis.

Davis, the national college player of the year, was added to the roster for the exhibition game and scored nine points in 10 minutes. Kevin Durant led the U.S. with 24 points.

“Blake is a proven commodity, and if we don’t have him, it’s a big loss,” U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “He was playing really well for us.”

The Clippers, who just signed Griffin to a 5-year, $95 million extension, said the All-Star forward had an MRI exam that revealed a meniscus tear. He will see another

No deal had been reached Thursday night, so both sides agreed to resume discussions Friday.

That means the Wolves have yet to file a signed offer sheet for four years and $46 million that Batum signed earlier in the day. The restricted free agent would be unable to be traded if he signs the deal.

Minnesota waived center Darko Milicic. Milicic received the amnesty designation, a one-time provision allowing a team to let a player go without his remaining contract counting against the league’s salary cap or luxury tax. The Wolves still must pay Milicic about $7 million more.

Charlotte agreed to a two-year contract with former Los Angeles Lakers point guard Ramon Sessions, according to a person familiar with the situation.

Sessions replaces D.J. Augustin, whose qualifying offer was rescinded earlier Thursday.

The move made Augustin, last year’s starting point guard, an unrestricted free agent.

Brendan Haywood has been waived by Dallas, which designated the 7-foot center as its amnesty player. Haywood is set to make $8.3 million next season and is due $27 million over the final three years in his deal.

Indiana traded point guard Darren Collison and wing player Dahntay Jones to Dallas for center Ian Mahinmi. The Pacers also signed free-agent forward Gerald Green.

Atlanta signed former Philadelphia 76ers guard Lou Williams. to a multiyear contract. Williams has played his entire seven-year career with the 76ers.