SEPTEMBER 29 • 247SPORTS.COM
AJ GRIFFIN
AJ Griffin has officially retired from basketball at age 21 The former five star recruit and NBA First Round pick has elected to move away from the game and pursue his faith
Parts ways with Houston The Rockets agreed to a contract buyout with Griffin Friday, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Impact Griffin has reportedly considered stepping away from basketball entirely, but he has already agreed to part ways with Houston. It is unclear if the 21-year-old forward will look to join a new team ahead of the 2024-25 season.
SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE
Could step away from basketball Griffin is "seriously considering" stepping away from basketball, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Thursday.
Impact Griffin was selected by Atlanta with the No. 16 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He averaged 8.9 points and 2.1 rebounds in 19.5 minutes per game over 72 appearances during his rookie season, but his role diminished last year while also dealing with an ankle injury, as he averaged 2.4 points in 8.6 minutes per game over 20 appearances with Atlanta. He was traded to the Rockets in late June but could elect to step away from the game before suiting up for his new team.
SEPTEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE
Hawks trade AJ Griffin to Rockets for 2nd round pick in 3-team deal including Heat
The Atlanta Hawks moved back into the NBA draft by trading forward AJ Griffin to the Houston Rockets for the No. 44 pickJUNE 27 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Report: Hawks trade AJ Griffin to Rockets for No. 44 pick in 2024 Draft | NBA.com Atlanta reportedly sends AJ Griffin, a former first-round pick in 2022, to Houston in exchange for the No. 44 pick in 2024.
JUNE 27 • NBA.COM
Dealt to Houston The Hawks are trading Griffin to the Rockets in exchange for the No. 44 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft on Thursday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Impact After being a first-round pick by Atlanta in the 2022 NBA Draft, Griffin saw a minimal role in his second season with the team. In 2023-24, the 20-year-old forward averaged 2.4 points in 8.6 minutes across 20 bench appearances, as he spent much of the season out with an ankle injury or in the G League. Trading Griffin was likely done to make room in the forward rotation after Hawks drafted Zaccharie Risacher No. 1 overall, but there is no guarantee for minutes in Houston either.
JUNE 27 • ROTOWIRE
Nets three points in return Griffin (ankle) scored three points (1-3 FG, 1-1 3Pt) and added four rebounds and one assist across 18 minutes in Friday's 109-106 loss to the Timberwolves.
Impact Griffin made his first appearance for Atlanta since the All-Star break and his first at any level since March 5, when he suited up for the G League's College Park Skyhawks. The second-year wing missed over five weeks with a right ankle sprain, but he was able to make it back for the Hawks' penultimate game of the regular season. With the Hawks announcing Thursday that Jalen Johnson will miss at least three weeks with a Grade 2 ankle sprain, Griffin could retain a spot in the rotation heading into Sunday's game at Indiana, as well as for the duration of the Hawks' run in the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament.
APRIL 13 • ROTOWIRE
Good to go against Minnesota Griffin (ankle) is available for Friday's game versus the Timberwolves, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Impact Griffin has been upgraded from questionable to available Friday after missing a lengthy period with a right ankle sprain. However, the 20-year-old forward is unlikely to be a significant factor in Atlanta's rotation.
APRIL 12 • ROTOWIRE
Deemed questionable for Friday Griffin (ankle) is questionable for Friday's game against Minnesota, Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Impact Griffin hasn't played since he suited up for the G League's College Park Skyhawks in early March, but it's encouraging to see him questionable for Friday's matchup. Even if he's cleared to return for the penultimate game of the regular season, it seems unlikely that he'll see much playing time.
APRIL 11 • ROTOWIRE
Remains out Wednesday Griffin (ankle) won't be available for Wednesday's game against the Hornets.
Impact Griffin hasn't played since March 5 -- when he suited up for the G League's College Park Skyhawks -- due to a right ankle sprain. He had been scheduled to be re-evaluated this week, but the Hawks have yet to provide an update on his status.
APRIL 10 • ROTOWIRE
Out another week Griffin (ankle) will be re-evaluated in 7-to-10 days.
Impact This rules Griffin out until at least April 9 against the Heat. Griffin hasn't been able to crack the rotation this season, so his status won't matter much in fantasy hoops.
APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE
Out again Griffin (ankle) is out for Monday's game against the Bulls, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Impact Griffin will remain out of the lineup due to a right ankle sprain. He remains without a clear timetable for his return.
MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE
Ruled out for Saturday Griffin (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Bucks.
Impact Griffin was diagnosed with a right ankle sprain last week and is in the midst of the timeframe in which the Hawks said he'd be re-evaluated. However, he'll be forced to miss another game Saturday, while his next chance to suit up will be Monday against Chicago.
MARCH 29 • ROTOWIRE
Diagnosed with ankle sprain The Hawks announced Thursday that Bufkin has been diagnosed with a right ankle sprain and will be re-evaluated in 7-10 days.
Impact Griffin hasn't played since Jan. 30 due to a contusion to his lower right leg that has recently been diagnosed as an ankle sprain. His continued absence won't affect Atlanta's rotation.
MARCH 21 • ROTOWIRE
Still sidelined Griffin (lower leg) won't play in Thursday's game against the Suns, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Impact Griffin hasn't played an NBA game since Jan. 30 as he continues to battle a contusion on his lower right leg. While no timetable has been established for Griffin's return, his next chance to play will come Saturday against the Hornets.
MARCH 21 • ROTOWIRE
Remains out Monday Griffin (lower body) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Lakers.
Impact Griffin continues to miss time due to a leg/ankle contusion and doesn't have a return timetable. Even when healthy, he likely won't factor into Atlanta's end of the season rotation, as the Hawks are trying to stay in the postseason picture despite Trae Young's (finger) absence.
MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE
Recalled by Hawks, will be assessed Griffin is dealing with soreness in his right lower leg and ankle following a contusion on March 5 and has been called up by the Hawks in order to be evaluated by the team's medica...
Impact Griffin has missed the last four College Park Skyhawks games due to the injury, and he doesn't have a clear timetable for his return. It wouldn't be shocking if he ends up being shut down for the rest of the G League regular season given the campaign will end in late March.
MARCH 16 • ROTOWIRE
Promoted to Atlanta Atlanta recalled Griffin from the G League's College Park Skyhawks on Monday.
Impact Griffin was recalled alongside Mouhamed Gueye (back). While Gueye still appears to be recovering from a stress fracture in his lower back, Griffin is a candidate to be active for Tuesday's game against the Jazz.
FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE
Hawks Assign AJ Griffin to the College Park Skyhawks Griffin has not been a part of the rotation this year for the Hawks
FEBRUARY 21 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Hawks Assign AJ Griffin to the College Park Skyhawks Griffin has not been a part of the rotation this year for the Hawks
FEBRUARY 21 • SUNHERALD.COM
Sent to G League The Hawks assigned Griffin to the G League's College Park Skyhawks on Wednesday.
Impact Griffin missed the Hawks' final two games before the All-Star break while battling an illness, though he's presumably healthy again as Atlanta prepares to begin its second-half schedule. The second-year wing should rejoin the Hawks for their next game Friday versus the Raptors, but he's first expected to suit up for College Park in Thursday's matchup with the Indiana Mad Ants for what will be his G League debut.
FEBRUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE
Out for Wednesday Griffin (illness) will not play Wednesday versus Charlotte.
Impact Griffin will be inactive for an eighth consecutive contest Wednesday. The second-year guard is a candidate to receive minutes down the stretch of the season, but he has not relevantly factored into the rotation all year.
FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE
Won't play Monday Griffin has been ruled out for Monday's game against Chicago due to an illness, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Impact Griffin wasn't on Atlanta's injury report but was ruled out a few hours before tipoff due to his illness. His absence shouldn't significantly impact the team's rotation.
FEBRUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE
Rare appearance Saturday Griffin ended with two points (1-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt) across three minutes during Saturday's 116-95 loss to the Cavaliers.
Impact Griffin re-entered the rotation Saturday, playing just his fourth game in the past six weeks. After an encouraging rookie campaign, Griffin has barely been seen this season, currently averaging 2.3 points in 8.0 minutes per game.
JANUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE
Makes cameo in garbage time Griffin tallied three points (1-3 FG, 1-3 3Pt) and turned the ball over twice across seven minutes in Friday's 150-116 loss to the Pacers.
Impact Griffin was away from the Hawks for about two weeks in December while tending to a personal matter, but he's since been available for each of Atlanta's last four games. However, Friday marked the first occasion in which Griffin left the bench, as he checked into the contest for the final 7:02 amid the blowout. The second-year wing looks as though he'll continue to find himself outside of head coach Quin Snyder's rotation for the foreseeable future.
JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE
