People still talk about it. Usually, when a Kardashian or a Jenner dates an athlete, it’s a whole production. But with Blake Griffin and Kendall Jenner, it felt... different. Lower stakes, maybe? Or just quieter. Honestly, looking back at 2017 and 2018, that relationship was a weirdly pivotal moment for both of them, even if it only lasted about seven months.
You’ve got a superstar NBA forward at the peak of his "Lob City" fame with the Clippers and the world’s highest-paid model. On paper, it’s a publicist’s dream. In reality, it was a mess of cross-country trades, a massive palimony lawsuit, and a lot of awkward courtside photos.
The Timeline: From Concerts to Courtside
It all kicked off in the summer of 2017.
August, specifically. They were spotted leaving a Travis Scott afterparty together. Then came the double dates with Hailey Bieber (then Baldwin) and Chandler Parsons. It didn't take long for Kendall to become a fixture at the Staples Center. If you saw her in a pair of $10,000 Saint Laurent crystal boots sitting near the Clippers bench, you knew what was up.
By the time her 22nd birthday rolled around in November, things seemed legit. She was seen at his comedy shows. He was hanging with her family. A source told People back then that her family actually liked him—which, let's be real, isn't always a given in that circle.
But they never "hard launched" it. No mushy Instagram captions. No red carpet walks as a couple. Kendall told Vogue in 2018 that she liked her private life. She basically said she had "someone being very nice" to her. That was as much of a confirmation as anyone ever got.
The Lawsuit That Changed the Narrative
Here is where things got heavy.
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While the internet was busy obsessing over Kendall’s outfit at the games, Blake’s personal life was imploding. In February 2018, his ex-fiancée, Brynn Cameron, filed a bombshell palimony lawsuit.
It wasn't just about money. It was personal.
Cameron, who has two children with Griffin, alleged that he basically abandoned his family to "pursue a high-profile affair" with Jenner. According to the court docs, they were supposed to get married in July 2017. Then, Blake allegedly asked for a prenup at the last minute, the wedding was called off, and weeks later, he was in the Hamptons with Kendall.
The suit claimed Blake "cared more about the glamour of dating a Hollywood celebrity" than his responsibilities as a father. It was a PR nightmare. Kendall, who usually stays far away from "home-wrecker" narratives, was suddenly being name-dropped in legal filings. It reportedly spiked her anxiety. Hard to blame her.
Why the Relationship Actually Ended
Most people think the lawsuit killed the vibe. Maybe it did. But the real nail in the coffin was much more practical: The Trade.
In January 2018, the Clippers did the unthinkable. They traded Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons.
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One day he’s the king of L.A., and the next, he’s in the Midwest.
Distance is a relationship killer for anyone, but for a supermodel and a pro athlete? It’s basically impossible. By March 2018, things had "cooled off." They weren't fighting; they just weren't in the same time zone anymore.
A few months later, Kendall was spotted with Ben Simmons. Blake was adjusting to life in Detroit. The "Bendall" era began, and the Blake chapter was quietly closed.
The "Kardashian Curse" and Performance
Sports fans love a good superstition.
The Harvard Sports Analysis Collective actually looked into this. They analyzed Blake’s "Win Shares per 48 minutes" ($WS/48$) before, during, and after his time with Kendall.
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Interestingly, his performance actually dipped during the relationship and spiked right after the breakup. Was it the "curse"? Or was it just the stress of a $171 million contract, a trade to a struggling team, and a massive lawsuit? Probably the latter. But the narrative stuck.
What We Can Learn From the Fallout
Looking back at Blake Griffin and Kendall Jenner, it’s a masterclass in how "quiet" celebrity relationships can still be incredibly loud.
- Distance is the ultimate test. Even private jets can’t fix the gap between L.A. and Detroit when both people are at the top of their industries.
- The "Private" approach works. Unlike some of her sisters, Kendall’s refusal to make the relationship a "brand" allowed her to move on without a messy public cleanup.
- Context matters. The relationship wasn't just two people dating; it was a transition period for Blake’s career and a legal headache for his family life.
If you’re looking for a takeaway, it’s this: even the most glamorous-looking pairings have a lot of "real life" happening behind the scenes. For Blake and Kendall, it was less of a romance novel and more of a complicated logistical puzzle that eventually just didn't fit anymore.
Actionable Insight: If you're interested in the intersection of sports and pop culture, keep an eye on how player trades affect high-profile relationships. The "Detroit effect" is a real phenomenon in celebrity dating history, often serving as the silent catalyst for breakups that the media blames on "drama."