LOS ANGELES – On nights like Friday, when the Clippers took on a team with a lot more size and strength, Blake Griffin’s absence becomes even more evident.

And even though the Clippers picked up a 101-94 win over the Knicks, the Clippers need Griffin sooner than later.

And, it’s starting to sound like it’ll be later.

Griffin’s injured quad, which kept him out since Dec. 26, is the main reason he’s yet to be cleared to return, not his surgically repaired right hand.

Griffin, who broke that hand in a fight with assistant equipment manager Matias Testi on Jan. 23, must serve a four-game suspension once he’s medically cleared. He’ll also lose an additional game check.

The hand injury isn’t serious enough to keep Griffin from practicing. But his injured quad hasn’t responded to an increase in workout intensity.

Griffin’s timetable to return has been pushed slightly back to late March.

While Griffin hasn’t suffered a specific setback, he hasn’t progressed in a way that matched Doc Rivers’ optimism earlier this month.

Before a game on March 2, Rivers was so encouraged with a workout he witnessed at the team’s practice facility that he did something he almost never does – speculate about an injury timetable.

While he didn’t provide specifics, Rivers said Griffin looked “really close.”

“He’s looking good. He really is,” Rivers said that night. “Honestly, I was watching him today and I was like … in my mind thinking ‘We could use some of that tonight.’”

But the increased workload apparently put too much strain on the injury.

Before being injured, Griffin was having the best season of his career, averaging 23.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 30 games.

If it were the postseason, Griffin would likely be on the court, but since there’s a month left in the regular season, the Clippers are proceeding with caution.

THE (OTHER) BIGGEST NEWS

Paul Pierce couldn’t play Friday thanks to a sore big toe on his right foot, and there’s a possibility he won’t be ready Sunday against Cleveland. However, Luc Mbah a Moute, who has been out since Feb. 29 with an eye injury, could play versus the Cavaliers.

THE BEST QUOTE

“I don’t mind competing.” – Jeff Green after playing nearly 45 minutes in the Clippers’ win Friday.

THE BEST STAT

The Clippers avoided losing back-to-back games for the first time since Dec. 21.

Contact the writer: dwoike@ocregister.com