When did Blake Griffin retire? Blake Griffin officially announced his retirement from professional basketball on April 16, 2024, bringing an end to a 14-season NBA career that included six All-Star selections, five All-NBA honors, and some of the most memorable dunks of his generation. Although he last played for the Boston Celtics during the 2022–23 season, he waited until the following year to publicly confirm his retirement. His departure marked the conclusion of a career that began with enormous expectations and developed into one of the most recognizable stories of modern NBA basketball.
Griffin established himself as a superstar with the Los Angeles Clippers before continuing his career with the Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets, and Boston Celtics. His combination of strength, athleticism, scoring ability, and passing made him one of the most exciting forwards in the league.
Blake Griffin’s Official Retirement Date
Blake Griffin announced his retirement on April 16, 2024. His announcement confirmed that he would no longer continue his professional playing career in the NBA.
The timing matters because Griffin had already spent an entire season away from NBA competition. His last campaign came with Boston in 2022–23, and he did not join another NBA team for the following season.
Rather than announcing his decision immediately after his final game, Griffin waited until April 2024 to make his retirement public. His statement reflected on his basketball journey and expressed appreciation for the people who supported him throughout his career.
He thanked his family, teammates, coaches, friends, and fans. He also acknowledged the difficult experiences that accompanied professional basketball, including injuries, surgeries, and the pressure of competing at the highest level.
Griffin’s announcement did not identify one specific injury as the sole reason for his retirement. Instead, it marked the end of a lengthy career that had taken him from highly anticipated rookie to established NBA veteran.
As of October 24, 2026, April 16, 2024, remains his official retirement announcement date.
When Did Blake Griffin Play His Final NBA Season?
Griffin’s final NBA season was 2022–23 with the Boston Celtics. The team signed him in October 2022 to strengthen its frontcourt depth and provide experience.
By this stage of his career, Griffin occupied a different role from the one he held during his prime with the Clippers. Boston already had established offensive leaders, so Griffin contributed primarily as a reserve.
He played 41 regular-season games, averaging 4.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. He started 16 of those contests.
These numbers represented a significant change from the seasons when Griffin regularly scored more than 20 points per game. However, his reduced production did not erase the value of his experience or his ability to contribute in specific situations.
Boston qualified for the playoffs and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals. Griffin appeared during the postseason, including the first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Celtics eventually lost to the Miami Heat in the conference finals. Griffin did not return to the NBA for another season after that playoff run.
His departure illustrates the difference between a player’s final season and the date of an official retirement announcement. Griffin finished playing in 2023 but confirmed his retirement in April 2024.
How Blake Griffin Became an NBA Superstar
Griffin’s professional career began when the Los Angeles Clippers selected him with the first overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.
The selection generated considerable excitement because Griffin had developed a reputation as an exceptional college player at the University of Oklahoma. His combination of power, speed, and leaping ability made him one of the most highly anticipated prospects in his draft class.
However, a knee injury during the preseason forced him to miss the entire 2009–10 NBA season. The setback delayed his professional debut, but it did not prevent him from making an immediate impact once he recovered.
Griffin entered the league during the 2010–11 season and quickly became one of basketball’s biggest attractions. He averaged 22.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game.
His performances earned him the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He also participated in the 2011 NBA All-Star Game and won the Slam Dunk Contest that year.
Griffin’s spectacular finishes around the basket made him a regular presence on highlight shows. His dunks over defenders helped introduce a wider audience to the Clippers, a franchise that had historically struggled to achieve sustained success.
His rookie season established the foundation for a career filled with individual honors, postseason appearances, and nationally recognized performances.
The Lob City Era With the Los Angeles Clippers
Griffin’s most famous years came with the Clippers, particularly during the period widely known as Lob City.
The arrival of point guard Chris Paul in 2011 helped create an exciting offensive partnership. Griffin’s ability to finish near the basket complemented Paul’s playmaking, while center DeAndre Jordan added another powerful target for alley-oop passes.
The trio helped transform the Clippers into a competitive Western Conference team. Their fast-paced style, athletic finishes, and entertaining performances attracted attention throughout the NBA.
Griffin was more than a dunk specialist. He developed into a productive scorer who could operate in the post, attack defenders off the dribble, rebound effectively, and create opportunities for teammates.
During his Clippers tenure, he averaged approximately 21.6 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. He earned five of his six All-Star selections while playing for the franchise.
Despite their regular-season success, the Clippers never reached the Western Conference finals during Griffin’s tenure. Injuries and playoff disappointments prevented the group from achieving its ultimate championship objective.
Nevertheless, Griffin became one of the defining players in franchise history. His performances helped establish the Clippers as a major attraction in Los Angeles and gave the team a more prominent place in the NBA conversation.
Why Blake Griffin Left the Clippers
In January 2018, the Clippers traded Griffin to the Detroit Pistons. The move ended his long association with the franchise that had selected him first overall.
The trade surprised many fans because Griffin had signed a contract extension with Los Angeles the previous year. However, the Clippers were reshaping their roster and moving toward a different direction.
Detroit acquired Griffin to become a central figure in its offense. The Pistons hoped his scoring, rebounding, and playmaking would help the franchise compete in the Eastern Conference.
Griffin responded with one of the strongest seasons of his later career in 2018–19. He averaged 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game across 75 appearances.
That performance earned him another All-NBA selection and demonstrated that he remained capable of producing at a high level outside Los Angeles.
The Pistons reached the playoffs that season but lost in the first round to the Milwaukee Bucks. Griffin’s physical condition became an increasing concern as injuries continued to interrupt his career.
Detroit eventually bought out his contract in 2021, allowing him to pursue another opportunity.
His Final Teams: Brooklyn and Boston
After leaving Detroit, Griffin joined the Brooklyn Nets in 2021. The team featured established stars and sought experienced players who could contribute to its championship ambitions.
Griffin’s responsibilities in Brooklyn differed from those he had carried during his prime. He was no longer expected to lead the offense, but he could provide rebounding, physical defense, and frontcourt depth.
He later signed with the Boston Celtics before the 2022–23 season. The move gave him an opportunity to contribute to another team with serious postseason ambitions.
Boston used Griffin primarily as a reserve. His regular-season production declined, but he continued to bring experience from years of playoff competition and high-pressure situations.
The Celtics reached the Eastern Conference finals during his final season. Although they fell short of the NBA Finals, Griffin finished his playing career with another opportunity to compete for a championship.
His time with Brooklyn and Boston also demonstrated how his role evolved as his athletic prime passed. He adjusted from being a franchise centerpiece to supporting teams with established stars.
Did Injuries Cause Blake Griffin to Retire?
Injuries were a significant part of Griffin’s career, but the available facts do not establish one specific injury as the sole cause of his retirement.
His first major setback occurred before his NBA debut, when a knee injury forced him to miss his entire first season. Although he returned successfully, physical problems affected various stages of his professional career.
Griffin underwent multiple procedures during his playing years and missed games because of injuries. These setbacks interrupted his momentum and complicated his efforts to maintain the explosive playing style that had made him famous.
His later years required a different approach to the game. Rather than relying exclusively on athleticism, he increasingly contributed through positioning, passing, rebounding, and experience.
By the time he joined Boston, he was playing a limited role compared with his years in Los Angeles and Detroit.
In his retirement announcement, Griffin acknowledged the challenges associated with injuries and surgeries. However, he did not state that one medical issue alone forced him to leave basketball.
It is therefore more accurate to describe injuries as an important part of his career history rather than present them as the confirmed single reason for his retirement.
Blake Griffin’s Career Statistics and Awards
Griffin finished his NBA regular-season career with 765 games played. His career averages were 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game.
Those numbers reflect his ability to contribute in several areas. He was an effective scorer, a strong rebounder, and a forward who could help organize offensive possessions.
His achievements included:
- Six NBA All-Star selections.
- Five All-NBA selections.
- One NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
- One NBA Slam Dunk Contest championship.
- More than 14,000 regular-season career points.
- A major role in the Los Angeles Clippers’ rise during the 2010s.
Griffin also improved his outside shooting as his career progressed. That development allowed him to become a more versatile offensive player rather than relying only on finishes around the basket.
His career statistics provide context for his retirement. Although his final season featured modest numbers, his overall body of work established him as one of the most productive forwards of his era.
How Old Was Blake Griffin When He Retired?
Griffin was 35 years old when he announced his retirement. He was born on March 16, 1989, and spent much of his adult life competing in professional basketball.
Many NBA players continue into their mid-to-late 30s, but individual careers depend on physical condition, team opportunities, personal priorities, and the player’s willingness to continue competing.
Griffin had already experienced a long career that included multiple franchises, playoff appearances, individual awards, and significant injury setbacks.
His retirement came after a season away from the NBA rather than during an active contract with a team. This distinction separates his situation from players who announce retirement while still appearing regularly in games.
His decision closed a chapter that began with enormous expectations in 2009 and ended after his final appearance for Boston in 2023.
When Did Blake Griffin Retire? The Final Answer
For anyone asking when did Blake Griffin retire, the confirmed answer is April 16, 2024. That was the date he publicly announced his retirement from professional basketball.
His final NBA season took place with the Boston Celtics in 2022–23. He did not play another NBA season before making his announcement the following April.
Griffin’s career included six All-Star selections, five All-NBA honors, a Rookie of the Year award, and a reputation for spectacular athletic performances. His years with the Clippers made him one of the NBA’s most recognizable stars, while his later seasons showed his ability to adapt to changing responsibilities.
As of October 24, 2026, there is no verified announcement that he has returned to NBA competition.
Blake Griffin’s journey remains a memorable part of NBA history, and fans can share their favorite performances, career memories, and thoughts about his legacy in the comments.