Pistons' Blake Griffin named to All-NBA third team

Rod Beard
The Detroit News
Pistons forward Blake Griffin was named to the All-NBA third team on Thursday.

Blake Griffin had the best statistical season of his career, helping the Pistons get to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

The NBA’s media members, selecting Griffin for the All-NBA third team, the league announced Thursday. It’s the fifth overall selection for Griffin and his second time on the third team.

The first team included Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden — who were unanimous selections — along with Steph Curry, Paul George and Nikola Jokic.

The second team had Joel Embiid, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving.

Joining Griffin on the third team were Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, Rudy Gobert and Kemba Walker.

Griffin, who averaged 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.4 assists, becomes the first Pistons player to be named to an All-NBA team since Andre Drummond, who was on the third team in 2015-16. Prior to that, the last Detroit player was Chauncey Billups in 2007-08.

Griffin, in his second season with the Pistons, played in 75 games in the regular season but was hampered by injuries, missing four of the final eight games and the first two of their playoff series, a four-game sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks.

rod.beard@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @detnewsRodBeard