Blake Austin Griffin is a retired American basketball player best known for his time with the Los Angeles Clippers. He was the consensus national college player of the year in 2009 while playing for the Oklahoma Sooners. As the first overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft, Griffin achieved six NBA All-Star selections and five All-NBA selections. His NBA journey included periods with the Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets before concluding his career with the Boston Celtics in 2022.
1975: Alvan Adams' Scoring and Rebounding Feat
In 1975, Alvan Adams achieved 43 points and 25 rebounds in a single game.
1978: Larry Bird's NCAA Rebounding Feat
Larry Bird had 505 rebounds in the 1978–79 season playing for Indiana State.
1983: Wayman Tisdale's Scoring and Rebounding Feat
In 1983, Wayman Tisdale achieved 61 points and 22 rebounds in a single game.
1983: Wayman Tisdale's Big Eight Conference Accomplishment
In 1983, Wayman Tisdale became the first Sooner to make the Big Eight Conference All-Rookie team.
1986: David Robinson's NCAA Double-Double Record
David Robinson set the NCAA record of 31 double-doubles in the 1986–1987 season.
1987: End of David Robinson's Record-Setting Season
David Robinson's record-setting 1986-1987 season, in which he set the NCAA record for double-doubles in a single season, concluded in 1987.
March 16, 1989: Blake Griffin's Birth
Blake Austin Griffin was born on March 16, 1989.
1996: Tim Duncan's Rebounding Average
Tim Duncan averaged 14.7 rebounds in the 1996–97 season playing for Wake Forest.
2003: Joining Oklahoma Christian School
In 2003, Griffin followed his brother to Oklahoma Christian School, where they played under their father, head coach Tommy Griffin.
2004: First Two State Championships
Blake and his brother played together during the 2003–04 and 2004–05 high school seasons, winning two state basketball championships in 2004.
2005: Second State Championship and AAU Team
In 2005, the Saints repeated as Class 3A state champions. During the summer of 2005, Blake was a member of the Athletes First AAU team.
March 10, 2007: Fourth State Championship and High School Graduation
On March 10, 2007, Blake Griffin played his final high school game in the state title game against Pawnee High School, securing their fourth straight state title.
March 2, 2008: Right Knee Surgery
On March 2, 2008, Griffin had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee after tearing cartilage.
April 7, 2009: Declaration for NBA Draft
On April 7, 2009, Griffin declared for the NBA draft.
2009: NBA Draft Selection
Blake Griffin was selected first overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2009 NBA draft.
2009: NBA Debut and Injury
Griffin was selected by the Clippers in the 2009 NBA draft. During the final pre-season game of 2009, he broke his left kneecap, had surgery, and missed the entire 2009–10 season.
January 2010: Knee Surgery and Season Miss
In January 2010, Griffin had surgery on his broken left kneecap, causing him to miss the remainder of the 2009–10 season.
November 11, 2010: Career High Against the Knicks
On November 11, 2010, Blake Griffin scored a then career-high 44 points against the New York Knicks.
January 2011: Praise for Griffin's Playmaking Abilities
In January 2011, Rob Mahoney of The New York Times highlighted Blake Griffin's playmaking skills, noting his impact extended beyond scoring and rebounding.
January 17, 2011: Setting a Clippers Franchise Record
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, Blake Griffin recorded his first career triple-double with 33 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists in a double-overtime win over the Washington Wizards.
April 12, 2011: Appearance on Sports Show with Norm Macdonald
Blake Griffin appeared on Sports Show with Norm Macdonald on April 12, 2011, in a comedic sketch involving Norm Macdonald impersonating him.
2011: Endorsement Deal with Panini America and Other Commercial Appearances
In 2011, Blake Griffin signed an exclusive deal with Panini America for autographs and memorabilia, was featured on the cover of NBA 2K13, and appeared in commercials for various brands.
2011: Recognition as one of NBA's Greatest Rookies
In 2011, Sports Illustrated called Blake Griffin one of the NBA's 15 Greatest Rookies of All Time.
July 10, 2012: Contract Extension and Olympic Selection
On July 10, 2012, Blake Griffin signed a five-year contract extension, reportedly worth $95 million. He was also selected to compete for Team USA in the 2012 London Summer Olympics but was removed after he injured his knee during practice.
2012: First All-Star Game as a Starter
Blake Griffin was voted to play as a starter for the first time in the 2012 NBA All-Star Game along with new teammate Chris Paul. He was also selected to participate in the inaugural Rising Stars Challenge.
2012: Playoff Appearance and All-NBA Second Team
In 2012, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul helped lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 40–26 record, making the playoffs for the first time since 2006. After the playoffs, Griffin was named to the All-NBA Second Team for the first time in his career.
March 6, 2013: Third Career Triple-Double
On March 6, 2013, Blake Griffin recorded his third career triple-double by scoring 23 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing out 11 assists to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
April 2, 2014: Second Franchise Division Title
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 Points
On April 21, 2014, Blake Griffin scored a playoff career-high 35 points in a win over the Golden State Warriors.
October 2014: Misdemeanor Battery Charge
Blake Griffin was charged with misdemeanor battery in October 2014 for an incident in Las Vegas involving an altercation with a person taking a photo.
December 8, 2014: First Game-Winning Buzzer Beater
On December 8, 2014, Blake Griffin scored a season-high 45 points, including a game-winning three-pointer as time expired, as the Clippers beat the Phoenix Suns in overtime 121–120. This was Griffin's first career game-winning buzzer beater.
2014: Development of Jumpshot Due to Knee Issues
In 2014, Blake Griffin adapted his game due to knee problems, developing a jumpshot and extending his scoring range, as observed by Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash.
February 8, 2015: Staph Infection and Time Off
On February 8, 2015, Blake Griffin was ruled out for four to six weeks due to a staph infection in his right elbow.
March 2015: Dismissal of Battery Charge
The battery charge against Blake Griffin was dismissed in March 2015 due to a lack of evidence.
November 25, 2015: Season-High Points and Rebounds
On November 25, 2015, Blake Griffin recorded season-highs with 40 points and 12 rebounds in a loss to the Utah Jazz.
July 2016: Stand-up Comedy Debut at Just for Laughs Festival
Blake Griffin debuted as a stand-up comedian in July 2016 at the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal after developing an interest in comedy during his time in Los Angeles.
November 5, 2016: Season-High Score Against Spurs
On November 5, 2016, Blake Griffin achieved a season-high score of 28 points, contributing to the Clippers' 116-92 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. This win helped the Clippers start the season with a strong 5-1 record.
December 19, 2016: Knee Surgery and Time Off
On December 19, 2016, Blake Griffin was sidelined due to the need for minor surgery on his right knee. This surgery led to his absence from games for a period in January.
2016: Acting Debut in Broad City
Blake Griffin made his acting debut in 2016 in an episode of the comedy series Broad City, and later appeared in The Female Brain, receiving praise for his comedic timing.
January 24, 2017: Return from Knee Surgery
Blake Griffin returned to action on January 24, 2017, following a period of recovery from minor knee surgery. In his first game back, he contributed 12 points, despite a 121-110 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
February 26, 2017: Season-High Score Against Hornets
Blake Griffin set a new season-high score on February 26, 2017, scoring 43 points in a closely contested 124-121 overtime victory against the Charlotte Hornets.
April 22, 2017: Playoff Injury
On April 22, 2017, Blake Griffin was ruled out for the rest of the 2017 NBA Playoffs. This was due to a plantar plate injury in his right big toe sustained during Game 3 of the Clippers' Western Conference first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz, where the Clippers won 111-106.
July 19, 2017: Re-signs with the Clippers
Blake Griffin re-signed with the Los Angeles Clippers on July 19, 2017, securing a five-year contract worth $173 million, demonstrating his commitment to the team.
November 22, 2017: Triple-Double Performance Against Hawks
On November 22, 2017, Blake Griffin delivered a standout performance with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, contributing significantly to the Clippers' 116-103 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. This win ended the Clippers' nine-game losing streak.
November 28, 2017: MCL Sprain and Time Off
Blake Griffin was ruled out for about two months starting November 28, 2017. This followed an MCL sprain he suffered during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers the previous night, highlighting the physical challenges faced in his career.
January 2018: Trade to Detroit Pistons
In January 2018, Griffin was traded to the Detroit Pistons.
January 22, 2018: Triple-Double Against Timberwolves
On January 22, 2018, Blake Griffin achieved a triple-double with 32 points, 12 rebounds, and a career-high 12 assists in the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, even though the Clippers lost 126-118. This marked his seventh career regular-season triple-double, his second of the season, and his third 30-point game of the season, showcasing his all-around skills on the court.
January 29, 2018: Trade to the Detroit Pistons
Blake Griffin's time with the Los Angeles Clippers came to an end on January 29, 2018, when he was traded to the Detroit Pistons. The trade also involved Willie Reed and Brice Johnson going to the Pistons, while the Clippers received Avery Bradley, Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanović, a future protected first-round draft pick, and a future second-round draft pick in return.
March 20, 2018: Near Triple-Double Performance Against Suns
On March 20, 2018, Blake Griffin fell just short of a triple-double with a strong performance of 26 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds, leading the Detroit Pistons to a decisive 115-88 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
October 23, 2018: Career-High 50 Points Against 76ers
Blake Griffin achieved a remarkable career-high score of 50 points on October 23, 2018, leading the Detroit Pistons to a thrilling 133-132 overtime victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. His performance included the game-winning free throw, making it an unforgettable game. Griffin became the first Pistons player to score 50 points in a game since Richard Hamilton's 51 points in 2006 and set the record for the highest score by an NBA player during the 2018-19 season.
2019: Participation in the Comedy Central Roast of Alec Baldwin
Blake Griffin participated as a roaster in the Comedy Central Roast of Alec Baldwin in 2019.
2019: Suspension of the NBA Season
The NBA season was suspended in 2019-2020 due to the global coronavirus pandemic, impacting staff at Little Caesars Arena.
January 7, 2020: Second Left Knee Surgery and Season End
On January 7, 2020, Blake Griffin underwent a second surgery on his left knee, following a period of recovery from his initial surgery. Unfortunately, this injury led to his absence for the remainder of the season, underscoring the ongoing challenges he faced with his knee.
March 13, 2020: Donation to Little Caesars Arena Staff
Blake Griffin pledged $100,000 to the staff of Little Caesars Arena on March 13, 2020, to support those affected by the suspension of the NBA season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
October 1, 2020: Announcement of Double Cross with Blake Griffin
It was announced on October 1, 2020, that Blake Griffin would host a hidden camera show called Double Cross with Blake Griffin.
2020: Appearance on The Eric Andre Show
Blake Griffin appeared on The Eric Andre Show in 2020, alongside Stormy Daniels.
February 15, 2021: Last Game for Pistons
On February 15, 2021, Blake Griffin played his final game as a member of the Detroit Pistons. At this point, there were discussions about potential trades or a contract buyout, signaling a potential shift in his career trajectory.
March 8, 2021: Signs with Brooklyn Nets
Blake Griffin's basketball journey took a new turn on March 8, 2021, when he signed with the Brooklyn Nets, marking a fresh start in his career.
March 2021: Signing with Brooklyn Nets
In March 2021, Griffin signed with the Brooklyn Nets.
March 19, 2021: Premiere of Double Cross with Blake Griffin
Double Cross with Blake Griffin, hosted and presented by Blake Griffin, premiered on TruTV on March 19, 2021.
August 9, 2021: Re-signs with Brooklyn Nets
On August 9, 2021, Blake Griffin chose to continue his time with the Brooklyn Nets, signing a one-year contract to remain with the team.
February 6, 2022: Season-High Score Against Denver Nuggets
On February 6, 2022, Blake Griffin achieved a season-high score of 19 points during the game against the Denver Nuggets. Despite his notable individual performance, the Nets suffered a 104-124 loss.
September 2022: Signing with Boston Celtics
In September 2022, Griffin signed with the Boston Celtics.
September 30, 2022: Signing with the Boston Celtics
On September 30, 2022, Blake Griffin signed a one-year contract with the Boston Celtics for the veteran's minimum salary.
April 16, 2024: Retirement from Professional Basketball
Blake Griffin announced his retirement from professional basketball on April 16, 2024.