NBA playoffs 2019: Pistons forward Blake Griffin’s status uncertain for Game 1

The 30-year-old forward has been dealing with soreness in his left knee and did not play in Detroit’s 115-89 win over the Knicks on Wednesday, which clinched their spot in the postseason.

Detroit coach Dwane Casey was asked after the victory if Griffin would be available for Game 1 of the team’s opening-round series against the Bucks.

“We’ll see,” Casey responded.

Dwane Casey on Blake’s availability for Game 1: “We’ll see.”

— James Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) April 11, 2019

Griffin had a career season, averaging 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 35 minutes per game. He shot 46.2% from the field and 36.2% from 3-point range.

"There's always uncertainty,” Casey said, via The Detroit News. “But these few days off will help."

The Pistons will be making just their second trip to the playoffs in 10 seasons. They last reached the postseason in 2015-16.

"This is the first step, for us to get in the playoffs,” Casey said. “Our young guys need to experience it, to understand the level of intensity and what it takes to get in there and make some noise."

Detroit jumped out to an early lead and topped the Knicks easily, 115-89, in the must-win game. Andre Drummond tallied 20 points and 18 rebounds to lead Detroit to the victory.

“We can’t be too excited right now,” Drummond said. “We got in, but the goal is to make noise. … We’re in now and have to get prepared for a really good team and try to beat them."

Luke Kennard chipped in a game-high 27 points off the bench while connecting on four of his eight 3-point attempts against New York.

Casey advances to the playoffs in his first season with Detroit. He guided the Raptors to five straight postseason berths, including a trip to the Eastern Conference finals in 2015-16, before being fired last May.