Former Net Griffin announces retirement

High-flying six-time All-Star Blake Griffin announced his retirement from the NBA on Tuesday.

Griffin, who played 14 seasons with four teams, including the Nets, was picked first overall by the Clippers out of Oklahoma in 2009. He missed the 2009 campaign after suffering a season-ending knee injury in preseason. He returned the following season and was named Rookie of the Year. The Oklahoma native also made his first All-Star team in 2010.

“I’m thankful for every single moment — not just the good ones: the wins, the awards, the dunks, and the memorable times spent with family, friends, fans, teammates and coaches,” Griffin said in a statement posted on social media.

Griffin was most known for his soaring dunks and alley-oop finishes. He often caught lobs from Chris Paul after the star guard’s arrival to Los Angeles in the 2011-12 season. Fiifi Frimpong

SABRES FIRE COACH

Seven months after general manager Kevyn Adams declared the Sabres’ competitive window of opportunity as being open, it slammed shut on coach Don Granato, who was fired on Tuesday.

Expressing his frustration and impatience, Adams launched what now stands as the team’s eighth coaching search in 12 years by targeting someone with NHL experience to inspire a young but underperforming team that extended the franchise’s league-record playoff drought to a 13th season.

“It’s go time. It’s time to perform on an individual level and a team level. We have to be better,” Adams said. “I believe we have a talented group of players that now we need to take the next step, which is obviously getting in the playoffs and going from there.”

RECORD NHL ATTENDANCE

The NHL said Tuesday it had set a single-season attendance record with more than 22.5 million fans filling arenas and stadiums.

The league said the new mark of 22,560,634 was set with 18 games remaining in the regular season, saying buildings so far have been filled 97% to capacity.