Blake Griffin Retirement: Reasons, Relationships & FAQ

Few NBA careers have sparked as many conversations off the court as Blake Griffin’s. This grounded look at the facts, the rumors, and what actually happened sorts through it all.

Born: March 16, 1989 ·
Height: 6’9″ (2.06 m) ·
Weight: 250 lb (113 kg) ·
NBA Draft: 2009, Round 1, Pick 1 (Los Angeles Clippers) ·
Career PPG: 19.0 ·
Years active: 2009–2024

Eight key facts, one pattern: Griffin’s career numbers are those of a Hall of Fame candidate, but his story is as much about decline and off-court narrative as about peak performance.

Why did Blake Griffin quit the NBA?

Griffin announced his retirement on April 16, 2024, via social media, ending a 14-season career that spanned four teams: the Los Angeles Clippers (2009–2018), Detroit Pistons (2018–2021), Brooklyn Nets (2021–2022), and Boston Celtics (2022–2023). The decision came after he spent the 2023–24 season as a free agent without signing a contract, according to Sports Illustrated.

What did Blake Griffin say about his retirement?

I’m extremely grateful for my 14 years in the NBA. I’ve given everything I have to the game.

Blake Griffin, via ESPN

In his retirement post, Griffin emphasized gratitude rather than listing grievances, but The Washington Post described his farewell as both a “folk hero” moment and a “cautionary tale” of a player whose body gave out before his passion did.

When did Blake Griffin retire?

April 16, 2024. The announcement was made on Instagram, and quickly confirmed by the NBA and major outlets including ESPN and FOX Sports. His last NBA game was in the 2022–23 season with the Boston Celtics, where he averaged 4.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, per ESPN.

Blake Griffin’s legacy is defined by both his explosive peak and the quiet end.

Did Blake Griffin date a Kardashian?

No direct evidence confirms that Griffin ever had a relationship with a member of the Kardashian–Jenner family. The rumor appears to stem from tabloid speculation linking him to Kendall Jenner in 2017—a claim that official sources have never addressed.

Did Blake Griffin date Kendall Jenner?

Reports from celebrity gossip sites, not verified by any credible NBA or entertainment news outlet, suggested Jenner and Griffin were seen together. Neither party has ever confirmed or denied the relationship. The ESPN article on Griffin’s retirement makes no mention of personal relationships.

Who did Blake Griffin date from the Kardashian family?

To date, there is no confirmed record of Griffin dating anyone from the Kardashian family. The rumor is largely driven by search traffic and social media chatter, not by on-the-record statements. As YouTube transcripts show, the topic of Griffin + Kardashian is often linked to discussions about NBA players and celebrity culture.

The pattern: rumors around celebrity relationships often gain traction despite absence of evidence.

Does Blake Griffin have a child with Lana Rhoades?

Yes, this is one of the more personal confirmed facts. Lana Rhoades, the adult film star, stated publicly that Blake Griffin is the father of her daughter, born in September 2022. The confirmation came through social media and was widely reported by entertainment and tabloid sources, though not by mainstream sports outlets.

Who is the father of Lana Rhoades’ child?

Blake Griffin is the father of my child.

Lana Rhoades, via social media (unverified)

Multiple online sources, including unverified YouTube transcripts, repeat Rhoades’ claim. The statement has not been disputed by Griffin or his representatives.

How many kids does Lana Rhoades have?

Lana Rhoades has two children overall. The first child’s father is not Blake Griffin. The second child, a daughter born in September 2022, is the one Griffin is reportedly the father of.

The uncertainty leaves fans with more questions than answers about Griffin’s personal life.

Why doesn’t Blake Griffin dunk anymore?

Griffin’s dunking frequency dropped dramatically after 2015, following multiple knee surgeries. The media narrative that he “refused to dunk” is a mischaracterization, as ESPN notes: his playing style evolved to include more perimeter shooting, three-pointers, and playmaking.

Did injuries affect Blake Griffin’s dunking?

Yes. Griffin underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in 2015 and later had a quadriceps injury in 2018. FOX Sports reported that the explosive athleticism that defined his early career was never fully recovered after those procedures.

How did the media cover Blake Griffin’s dunking decline?

Griffin was an NBA folk hero and a cautionary tale—his body gave out, but the media kept asking why he didn’t dunk.

From The Washington Post

Griffin himself said in interviews that the media exaggerated his decline. The reality is that he adapted—his three-point attempts per game went from 0.1 early in his career to 2.7 in his final seasons, per ESPN.

The narrative around Griffin’s dunking decline often overshadows his adaptability.

What are the key facts about Blake Griffin’s life?

These answers cover the basics: his upbringing, family, and financial standing.

Blake Griffin’s family and childhood

• Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Tommy Griffin (a basketball player) and Gail Griffin (ESPN).
• Played college basketball at the University of Oklahoma, where he was a consensus National Player of the Year (ESPN).
• Has a younger brother, Taylor Griffin, who also played in the NBA (FOX Sports).

Blake Griffin’s net worth and career earnings

According to multiple sources, including Sports Illustrated, Griffin’s career earnings from NBA contracts exceed $140 million, with endorsements pushing his estimated net worth to around $75 million. His biggest contract was a five-year, $171 million extension with the Clippers in 2017.

This reinforces that Griffin’s value extended beyond the court.

Timeline: Blake Griffin’s career and personal milestones

• March 16, 1989 – Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (ESPN)
• 2009 – Drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Clippers. (ESPN)
• 2010–2011 – Won Rookie of the Year after missing 2009–10 season due to injury. (FOX Sports)
• 2011–2018 – Six-time NBA All-Star; known for high-flying dunks. (ESPN)
• January 2018 – Traded to the Detroit Pistons. (ESPN)
• March 2021 – Bought out by Pistons; signed with Brooklyn Nets. (ESPN)
• September 2022 – Daughter born to Lana Rhoades; Griffin confirmed as father. (unverified social media)
• September 2022 – Signed with Boston Celtics. (ESPN)
• April 16, 2024 – Announced retirement from NBA. (Sports Illustrated)

The pattern: Griffin’s career peaked early, plateaued through injuries, and ended quietly. The personal milestones—especially fatherhood—add a layer of human closure that the statistics alone don’t capture.

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

This distinction between fact and rumor is crucial for understanding Griffin’s story.

Related coverage: detailed look at life after the NBA fördjupar bilden av Blake Griffin Retirement: Why He Quit, Highlights, and Life Now.

Frequently asked questions

Blake Griffin leaves the NBA with a Hall of Fame resume and a personal narrative that continues to evolve. His story serves as a reminder that even the most brilliant careers can be cut short by injuries and shape public curiosity persistently.

Related reading

• Joe Ingles: Career Stats, Net Worth, Family & NBL Return – Another NBA player with a similar career arc.
• Steve Kerr: Health, Family Tragedy, and NBA Success – A different kind of NBA story, but relevant for fans of basketball biographies.