Hornets C Jefferson out 6 weeks with knee injury

Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan (6) muscles his shot over the Charlotte Hornets’ P.J. Hairston (19) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015.

Even without star player big man Blake Griffin, the Los Angeles Clippers are finding ways to win. It announced Jefferson’s injury after tipoff for its game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Jefferson is averaging 12.5 points and 6.1 rebounds for the Hornets (17-14), who are ninth in the Eastern Conference and just outside the playoff spots.

Kemba Walker scored 29 points for the Hornets, who played without Al Jefferson due to a knee injury that will sideline the center for at least six weeks. With Jefferson injured, Charlotte will likely play Cody Zeller, Spencer Hawes and rookie Frank Kaminsky at center. In the two contests since his return, Jefferson has posted a cumulative five points, eight rebounds, and seven fouls on a 2-for-12 shooting from the field.

The procedure will be completed by Hornets Team Physician Dr. Marcus Cook at Novant Orthopedic Hospital in Charlotte.

Rivers, in his second game back after missing three consecutive games with a sprained right ankle, scored a season-high 22 points.

Los Angeles led from the start, opening with a 13-3 run over a four-minute span. The Hornets closed to 53-52 on a Walker layup with 4:08 remaining. Batum (toe) was a game-time decision.