LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 31: Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers walks on the court in the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on October 31, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers won 118-111. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

One of the NBA's most recognizable players has a date in court. Los Angeles Clippers All-Star Blake Griffin has been charged with misdemeanor battery stemming from an incident at TAO Nightclub in Las Vegas in October.

Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times has more details on the charge and Griffin's alleged crime:

Daniel Schuman, 39, alleges in a case filed in Las Vegas Justice Court that Griffin squeezed his hand and shoulder and/or slapped him in the face. The altercation involved the use of a camera at the Tao nightclub in the Venetian resort, according to a Las Vegas police spokesman.

The Clippers declined to comment.

Griffin faces an initial court date of Dec. 8 at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas. It is unclear if he will appear in person or have his lawyer appear on his behalf, the DA spokeswoman said. He was charged with the crime on Nov. 5, according to the charging document.

The LA Times link includes the full charging document, if you care to read it. A conviction for misdemeanor battery could involve many possible sentences including six months in jail, a $1,000 fine and/or community service. However, Griffin would be a first-time offender and therefore likely would not be jailed.

TMZ has more details from Schuman, who alleges Griffin grabbed him after becoming upset at flashes from cameras. Right now, though, Schuman does not appear to be speaking about the matter:

Daniel Schuman told me on phone he has been instructed not to speak about Blake Griffin incident until meeting with his attorney Saturday. — Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) November 13, 2014

Daniel Schuman: "I don’t want to influence the outcome of the case because I know very strongly what I believe and I want justice to occur. — Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) November 13, 2014

TMZ also notes that Clippers Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan were at TAO with Griffin on Oct. 19, although neither is connected to the case in any direct way. The team faced the Denver Nuggets in a preseason game in Las Vegas on Oct. 18.

It is not yet clear if the charges will affect Griffin's availability for the Clippers, who play the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center the night of his first court date. We will update the story as necessary in the coming weeks.

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Eric Freeman is a writer for Ball Don't Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at efreeman_ysports@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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