Rihanna looks up at Kevin Durant during Game 1 of the NBA Finals.Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
The Golden State Warriors blew out the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1, and while Kevin Durant’s dominating performance was the story of the game, he also caused a stir on social media because of a supposed beef with Rihanna during the game.
The bizarre situation started late in the third quarter when somebody sitting in the front row shouted “Brick!” as Durant was shooting the second of two free throws.
After the free throw, Durant looked in the direction of Rihanna, who was sitting in the front row.
ABC; Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
This was all the proof that many on social media needed. According to them, Rihanna definitely shouted, and Durant was giving her the stink eye.
The social-media fervor increased when Durant later made a three-pointer and again glared in Rihanna’s direction.
It turns out it wasn’t Rihanna who shouted, although the person who did was close. ESPN dug a little deeper: The woman sitting next to Rihanna yelled “Brick!”
Complex identified her as Rihanna’s assistant.
ESPN
Here’s ESPN’s video breaking down the important controversy:
After the game, Durant and Stephen Curry had a fantastic reaction when asked about the “beef.” Curry’s head turned quickly to Durant, who, seemingly annoyed, said he didn’t want to be any part of the story.
Too late, KD. Too late.
Reporter: “…you looked towards the crowd towards Rihanna. Was that on purpose?”
KD: “I dont even remember that.”#NBAFinalspic.twitter.com/P4AIN2zyun
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) June 2, 2017