Blake Griffin has heartwarming reaction to being Basketball HOF finalist appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Blake Griffin joined a star-studded panel on NBA on Prime this week, sitting alongside legends Dirk Nowitzki and Udonis Haslem. While the conversation usually revolves around current league drama, the mood shifted when presenter Taylor Rooks dropped some massive news: Blake Griffin is officially a finalist for the 2026 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

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The former Los Angeles Clippers star could not hide his emotions. As Taylor Rooks offered her congratulations, Blake Griffin broke into a wide grin. “Truly an honor. Just to be named a nominee is really cool. Whatever happens, happens, but that’s the ultimate goal.”

It is hard to argue with his resume. Blake Griffin burst onto the scene with the Los Angeles Clippers, instantly transforming the franchise into a perennial contender. During his peak years in Southern California, he served as the engine of the Lob City era, combining with Chris Paul to create the most exciting highlight reel in basketball.

Over his 14-year career, Blake Griffin averaged 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. His 2010-11 rookie campaign remains one of the greatest in modern history, as he averaged 22.5 points and 12.1 rebounds per game while playing all 82 contests.

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The 2026 class is shaping up to be a heavy-hitting group. Blake Griffin is joined on the finalist list by his former coach, Doc Rivers, and WNBA icon Candace Parker. For Blake Griffin, the journey from being a standout at the University of Oklahoma to a six-time NBA All-Star has been a wild ride.

He eventually evolved from a high-flying dunker to a versatile point-forward with the Detroit Pistons and a veteran presence for the Boston Celtics. Whatever happens when the final votes come in, Blake Griffin has clearly left an indelible mark on the game.

Seeing him sit there with Dirk Nowitzki and Udonis Haslem, it felt like a well-deserved moment of recognition for a player who defined an entire era of Clippers basketball.

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