“I once loved a man so much that I was fixing him while he was breaking me,” Anansa Sims wrote in a cryptic Instagram post. This message quickly gained attention, especially since Matt Barnes had previously defended himself against cheating allegations. Barnes addressed the allegations without providing a clear confirmation or denial. Instead, he argued, “If y’all gonna continue to post these old a– messages from 2023… at least get the women right. Y’all have put up the wrong chick twice…”. He insisted that the messages were old and that he had never met the woman making the claims. Fans speculated further, adding another chapter to their turbulent history.
Their relationship has been a rollercoaster. They began dating in 2018 and welcomed two sons together. However, their love story wasn’t without conflict. In February 2020, Sims filed a restraining order against Barnes. The couple reconciled and got engaged in 2022. But despite their efforts, Sims’ worst fears seemed to have come true in the end.
In February 2025, Sims publicly named the women she claimed Barnes had cheated with — a bold move that stirred instant attention. In a now-deleted post, she declared, “Y’all can have him,” making it clear she was done with the relationship. Not only that, Sims had also written, “Why Matt? Eight different women in January,” before deleting it. One of the women, named Masika Kalysha, responded to the allegations on The Shade Room, stating that, “absolutely in no way [is] having an affair of any sort with Matt.”
While it remains unclear if the couple has officially split, the situation has only intensified, leaving fans speculating about where they stand.
After all the chaos, Barnes recently sat down with Jason Wilson to reflect on his personal growth. “Through my actions, I literally just lost my family by being what you talked about. Like, I was the strong provider, but I wasn’t there emotionally. I wasn’t empathetic. I wasn’t willing to share those emotions, and that was something my ex would tell me. Like, ‘I don’t—you’re a wall,’” he admitted. He opened up about his struggles with vulnerability, revealing that his emotional unavailability had cost him dearly. “Although grown Matt feels like he has it all, little Matt is there more than I realized,” he confessed.
Sims, however, wasn’t impressed. In response to Barnes’s public reflections, she called him out for not telling “the whole story.” She criticized him for being emotionally absent from their children’s lives while using social media to gain sympathy. “If you want to do some good, please don’t speak about me. Go get consistent therapy and most importantly, start building a relationship with God,” she wrote. Fans online reacted with mixed opinions to her response.
Matt Barnes opens up, but is it too late?”
Matt Barnes’ recent public reflections on his emotional struggles have sparked a heated discussion. Both sides have supporters adding further to the chaos. With the old allegations in mind, this only further added to the intensity.
One person questioned Sims’ response: “He basically just admitted to doing wrong… so I don’t see where her response was necessary.” To them, Barnes was already holding himself accountable, so they didn’t understand why Sims felt the need to add more.
Others felt differently, believing Sims had suffered for too long. “He been giving her hell for years… I’m so happy she’s choosing herself this time.” For them, Barnes’ words weren’t enough to erase the past.
Some saw a double standard in how the situation was being handled. “Some of y’all don’t know what y’all want. The man took accountability and asked how he could grow. But that’s a problem. She airs out all their business, and she’s celebrated. A weird world we live in.” To them, Barnes was making an effort, but his past mistakes overshadowed his words.
July 17, 2024; North Augusta, S.C., USA; Former NBA athlete Matt Barnes sits on the sidelines during the Team Takeover and WhyNot game at the Nike Peach Jam at Riverview Park Activities Center. Team Takeover won 64-62. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Network
There was also concern about how men expressing vulnerability is often met with criticism. “Well, geez, the man admits to his faults and gets roasted in the comments. One of the reasons why men can’t open up and take accountability.” Some believed his confession should have been met with more understanding.
However, others suggested that it might have been too late to regret actions now. Someone wrote, “Men love to play the victim after ruining your whole family.” They believed that while Barnes might be acknowledging his faults now, the damage was already done.
Matt Barnes laid his flaws bare. But in the digital court of public opinion, admission doesn’t always guarantee absolution. Anansa Sims’ callout was a reminder that growth without accountability can feel like a half-measure. And as fans choose sides, the real question remains: Can vulnerability repair damage that’s already been done, or does it simply reframe the narrative?
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