National Basketball Association

Mayweather verbally spars with Clippers' Matt Barnes during game

Published Jan. 17, 2015 1:40 a.m. ET

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Floyd Mayweather Jr. was sparring on Friday night, this time verbally from his courtside seat at Staples Center.

Mayweather engaged in trash talking directed at Clippers forward Matt Barnes during the game against the Cavaliers at Staples Center, and it wasn't the kind of friendly trash talking you sometimes see between celebrities and athletes. Mayweather shouted things at Barnes, and Barnes directed words back at the boxing champ.

Things got intense while there was a stoppage in play for free throws. Barnes grabbed a body part while directing words at Mayweather, and Mayweather yelled back. Mayweather continued to yell things at Barnes while he was running up and down the court.

It's unclear what the argument was over.

Asked about the incident, Barnes said: "I'm trying to talk about basketball. I don't give a (expletive) about no one off the court."

Reminded that this happened during the game, Barnes said: "I don't care. You want to talk about basketball? We talk about basketball. I'm not talking about nobody off the court. We talk about basketball or I'm not talking."

A little video of @floydmayweather courtside at @laclippers trash talking @matt_barnes22 during game. Smh https://t.co/KxgWnicWiu
— Jill Painter Lopez (@jillpainter) January 17, 2015

Beyonce and Jay Z also were sitting courtside as Barnes scored 17 points and had eight rebounds in the Clippers' 126-121 loss to Cleveland.

To even the playing field, Barnes should go to one of Mayweather's prize fights and yell at him from ringside. And shouldn't Mayweather not engage in trash talking with anyone until he agrees to fight Manny Pacquiao? At the Lakers game on Thursday, some fans were yelling "Fight Pacquiao!" to Mayweather's entourage.

Mayweather often makes a scene when he sits courtside at Clippers and Lakers game because of the "The Money Team," personal security who travel with him. At halftime, these huge men stand behind his courtside seat, making it impossible for many to see over them and watch the halftime show.

But Mayweather, who interestingly enough expressed interest in buying the Clippers before Steve Ballmer bought the team for $2 billion, made sure there was a sideshow to this game.

Asked about his reaction to the heated debate between Barnes and Mayweather, Clippers coach Doc Rivers said: "That's fine. I mean, I don't like it, obviously. Matt played well. It didn't distract him. I didn't see it, so I don't want to comment on it."