Forget All-Star Weekend—Michael Beasley and Lance Stephenson delivered one of the spiciest one-on-one matchups in recent memory, with Beasley not only securing a $100,000 payday but also firing off a viral Kardashian-worthy postgame quote.
The former NBA forward defeated Stephenson 31–21 in a one-on-one showdown Friday night at the TNC 02 pay-per-view event in Miami, claiming a winner-takes-all prize in a game packed with highlights, trash talk, and star power.
Beasley came out strong and jumped to a 4–0 lead and never trailed. The 36-year-old’s combination of size, footwork, and shot-making was too much for Stephenson, who showed flashes of physical play, but couldn’t string together enough stops to shift momentum.
Injured Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving was at the game as special guest commentator and wasn’t shy about his thoughts. At one point, Irving said he “would never” want to play Beasley one-on-one.
Stephenson, 34, reportedly got heated at times, arguing with the ref and jawing with fans, but remained competitive until the end. After the game, he tagged Beasley in an Instagram Story, writing: “Great game bro.”
Beasley, however, never one to hold back, fired off a response that quickly made the rounds on social media:
“I love you to the moon and back… Now grab a cigarette and a towel… We made a sex tape Kim K would envy,” he wrote, followed by three laughing emojis.
The matchup headlined a night of one-on-one battles at TNC 02, a basketball showcase designed to blend streetball energy with pay-per-view production. The Beasley–Stephenson duel was widely praised for its competitiveness and entertainment value.
Beasley, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat, played 11 seasons in the league and averaged 12.4 points and 4.7 rebounds across stints with the Heat, Knicks, Lakers, Bucks, Suns, and Rockets.
Stephenson, a 10-year NBA vet best known for his time with the Pacers, averaged 8.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists over his career. He last played in the 2021–22 season.