Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Blake Griffin

Discover the career path of Blake Griffin, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Blake Griffin is a retired American professional basketball player renowned for his time with the Los Angeles Clippers. After a standout college career at Oklahoma, where he was named national player of the year, Griffin was drafted first overall by the Clippers in 2009. He achieved significant accolades, including six NBA All-Star selections and five All-NBA selections, characterized by his athleticism and highlight-reel plays. Griffin was traded to the Detroit Pistons in 2018 before later playing for the Brooklyn Nets and the Boston Celtics, where he concluded his NBA career in 2023.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1968: Longest Rookie Double-Double Streak Since 1968

Blake Griffin's streak of consecutive double-doubles, which ended at 27 games on January 19 in a win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, was the longest rookie double-double streak since 1968.

1990: Unanimous Rookie of the Year

Blake Griffin was the first unanimous winner of the Rookie of the Year award since David Robinson in 1990.

1996: First Rookie With Two 40+ Point Games Since 1996

Blake Griffin became the first rookie to have two 40+ point games since Allen Iverson during the 1996-97 season.

1998: All-Star Game Voted by Coaches Since Duncan

In 2011, Griffin was voted to the NBA All-Star Game, becoming the first rookie voted to the game by coaches since Tim Duncan in 1998.

1999: Rookie Stats Since Brand

Blake Griffin played in all 82 regular season games and became the first rookie to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds since Elton Brand did it in the 1999-2000 season.

2000: Rookie Stats Since Brand

Blake Griffin played in all 82 regular season games and became the first rookie to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds since Elton Brand did it in the 1999-2000 season.

2003: All-Star Game Since Ming

In 2011, Griffin was voted to the NBA All-Star Game, becoming the first rookie to play in the All-Star game since Yao Ming in 2003.

2004: Won First State Championship

During the 2003–04 season, Blake Griffin and his brother won their first state basketball championship with Oklahoma Christian Saints, finishing the season with a 29–0 record.

2005: Rookie of the Month Awards

During the 2010-11 season, Blake Griffin captured all six of the Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors, the first time a rookie has swept an entire season of Rookie of the Month awards since Chris Paul during the 2005-06 season.

2005: Second State Championship and AAU Team

In 2005, during his sophomore year, Blake Griffin won his second state championship with the Oklahoma Christian Saints and played for the Athletes First AAU team, competing against future NBA players.

2006: Playoff Appearance

In the lockout-shortened season of 2012, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul led the Los Angeles Clippers to a 40-26 record and made the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

March 10, 2007: Fourth Consecutive State Title

On March 10, 2007, Blake Griffin played his final high school game in the state title game against Pawnee High School, leading the Oklahoma Christian Saints to their fourth straight state title with 22 points.

April 7, 2009: Declared for NBA Draft

On April 7, 2009, Blake Griffin announced he would forgo his final two years of college eligibility and declare for the NBA draft.

2009: Rookie Season Delayed

Blake Griffin was drafted in 2009 but missed his initial season due to a knee injury. He was still considered a rookie during the 2010-11 season.

2009: Kneecap Injury and Missed Season

During the final pre-season game of 2009, Blake Griffin broke his left kneecap, underwent surgery, and subsequently missed the entire 2009-10 NBA season.

2009: Drafted by Los Angeles Clippers

In 2009, Blake Griffin was selected first overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA draft after playing college basketball for the Oklahoma Sooners.

November 11, 2010: Career High of 44 Points

On November 11, 2010, in a home game against the New York Knicks, Blake Griffin scored a then career-high 44 points.

January 17, 2011: Career High of 47 Points

On January 17, 2011, Blake Griffin scored a career-high 47 points against the Indiana Pacers, setting a Clippers franchise record for most points by a rookie.

March 23, 2011: First Career Triple-Double

On March 23, 2011, in a double-overtime win over the Washington Wizards, Blake Griffin recorded his first career triple-double with 33 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists.

July 10, 2012: Contract Extension

On July 10, 2012, Blake Griffin signed a contract extension with the Los Angeles Clippers, reportedly worth $95 million for 5 years, keeping him under contract until the end of the 2017-18 season.

2012: Playoff Performance and All-NBA Selection

In 2012, Blake Griffin helped the Clippers eliminate the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. He was later named to the All-NBA Second Team.

2012: First All-Star Game Starter

In 2012, Blake Griffin was voted to play as a starter for the first time in the NBA All-Star Game along with teammate Chris Paul. He also participated in the inaugural Rising Stars Challenge.

March 6, 2013: Triple-Double Against Bucks

On March 6, 2013, Blake Griffin recorded his third career triple-double by scoring 23 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing out 11 assists in a victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

April 2, 2014: Division Title Win

On April 2, 2014, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul led the Los Angeles Clippers to a 112-108 win over the Phoenix Suns, clinching their second franchise division title.

April 21, 2014: Playoff Career-High

On April 21, 2014, Blake Griffin achieved a playoff career-high of 35 points in a victory over the Golden State Warriors.

December 8, 2014: Season-High and Game-Winning Shot

On December 8, 2014, Blake Griffin scored a season-high 45 points, including a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer, leading the Clippers to a 121–120 overtime victory against the Phoenix Suns.

November 25, 2015: Season-High Performance

On November 25, 2015, Blake Griffin achieved season-highs with 40 points and 12 rebounds in a loss to the Utah Jazz.

November 5, 2016: Season-High Points in Win Over Spurs

On November 5, 2016, Blake Griffin scored a season-high 28 points in a 116–92 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, contributing to the Clippers' strong start to the season.

January 24, 2017: Return From Knee Surgery

On January 24, 2017, Blake Griffin returned from knee surgery, scoring 12 points in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

February 26, 2017: Season High 43 Points

On February 26, 2017, Blake Griffin set a new season high with 43 points in a 124-121 overtime win over the Charlotte Hornets.

July 19, 2017: Re-signs with Clippers

On July 19, 2017, Blake Griffin re-signed with the Los Angeles Clippers on a five-year, $173 million contract.

November 22, 2017: Triple-Double and End of Losing Streak

On November 22, 2017, Blake Griffin recorded 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a win against the Atlanta Hawks, helping the Clippers break a nine-game losing streak.

2017: Contract Extension Until 2017-18 Season

In 2012, Blake Griffin signed a contract extension that would keep him under contract until the end of the 2017-18 season.

January 2018: Trade to Detroit Pistons

In January 2018, Blake Griffin was traded to the Detroit Pistons, where he played until 2021.

January 22, 2018: Triple-Double Against Timberwolves

On January 22, 2018, Blake Griffin had a triple-double with 32 points, 12 rebounds, and a career-high 12 assists in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

January 29, 2018: Traded to Detroit Pistons

On January 29, 2018, Blake Griffin, along with Willie Reed and Brice Johnson, was traded to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Avery Bradley, Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanović, a future protected first-round draft pick, and a future second-round draft pick.

March 20, 2018: Near Triple-Double Against Suns

On March 20, 2018, Blake Griffin nearly achieved a triple-double with 26 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds in a win over the Phoenix Suns.

October 23, 2018: Career-High 50 Points

On October 23, 2018, Blake Griffin scored a career-high 50 points, including the game-winning free throw, in an overtime victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

March 13, 2020: Pledge to Little Caesars Arena Staff

On March 13, 2020, Blake Griffin pledged $100,000 to the staff of the Little Caesars Arena who were unable to work during the suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season due to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.