Following the team announcement that all-star forward Blake Griffin was diagnosed with a staph infection in his right elbow, the Los Angeles Clippers divulged that the dynamic player underwent successful surgery to remove the infection.

Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who was assisted by Clippers team physician Dr. Steven Shimoyama, performed the procedure, the OC Register reports. Griffin will remain to be out indefinitely, and will be re-evaluated in three weeks.

The stretch with Griffin out will be a crucial one for the Clippers (33-19) who are mired in a tight Western Conference play-off race. The one thing going for Los Angeles is their current 4 ½ game lead over eighth place Phoenix Suns.

The 25-year-old Griffin is averaging 22.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists, while shooting over 50 percent in 35.3 minutes per game. He was supposed to play in his fifth straight NBA All-Star Game.

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported that the serious nature of the nature is the reason Griffin's return is placed at an indefinite timetable. She did, however, clarify that should all go well, the initial projection is 4-6 weeks.

"With a sprained ankle, you know, 10 days. But with infections, you just have to be very careful. You cannot mess around with it," Clippers coach Doc Rivers told Arash Markazi of ESPN.

Griffin was selected first overall in the 2009 NBA Draft, but had to miss his entire rookie season due to a knee injury he suffered in the final preseason game. After coming back the following year, Griffin has become one of the best and most durable players in the league.

The high-flying forward has not missed more than two games in a season for the last four years.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard was named as Griffin's replacement for the 2015 All-Star Game in New York.