Kyrie’s got handles. Luka’s got handles. KD’s got handles. But how much would you pay to watch them snatch someone’s ankles? Turns out, a lot. Fans are proving it, especially after Unrivaled co-founder Breanna Stewart got shut down—12-0—by Mystics rookie Aaliyah Edwards in a brutal 1v1 showdown. Stewie took it in stride, walking off with a smile. But for NBA stars? The stakes are much higher. And if social media is any indication, fans are making it loud and clear: they want the NBA to step up.

According to a recent post, one fan didn’t hold back: “The NBA needs to take some notes from #UNRIVALED and add a 1v1 to All-Star Weekend.” It’s easy to see why.

In a moment that stunned the basketball world, Aaliyah Edwards shut out Breanna Stewart, 12-0, in just 117 seconds—the fastest game in Unrivaled history. Stewart, an all-time great and co-founder of the league, didn’t get a single point on the board. Edwards took full control from the jump, draining a corner three, following it up with a smooth elbow jumper, and before anyone could blink, it was 5-0.

Don’t know if it was just an off night for Stewart, or maybe Edwards was just that good on iso?

“A contested layup made it 7-0, and Edwards finally missed her first shot of the game. But even then, Stewart couldn’t capitalize,” the announcers noted. Edwards locked in defensively, forcing a tough three-point miss before adding a layup and another three to close it out. But of course, that wasn’t the only case.

3x WNBA champion and 22 MVP, Chelsea Gray couldn’t keep up with 2022 draftee Shakira Austin either. The 6’5″ center outplayed Gray 12-2 for some gasps. Just like that, history was written—and fans had plenty to say about it.

Unrivaled’s 1v1 Format Is Winning—Will the NBA Finally Take Notes?: Fans react

The moment ignited debate across social media. “No reason why the NBA hasn’t done a 1v1 tournament for All-Star Weekend. This 1v1 tourney is FIRE #unrivaled,” one fan wrote.

Unrivaled isn’t just putting on a show—it’s putting serious money on the line. The 1-on-1 tournament features a total prize pool of $350K. The winner takes home $200K, with $10K bonuses for each of their clubmates. The runner-up earns $50K, and even the semi-finalists walk away with $25K each.

The structure is simple but intense: a 32-slot bracket featuring 30 players, with the top two seeds receiving byes. Jewell Loyd and Arike Ogunbowale, as the No. 1 seeds, skipped the first round, but injuries reduced the field to 23 players, cutting down matchups. Even with the changes, the competition delivered, proving the format’s viability.

“This Unrivaled 1v1 tournament is pretty dope. It’s been competitive and physical. No reason why NBA players can’t do this for All-Star Weekend,” another fan said.

Yet, some believe that NBA players may hesitate. “Ego, imo,” one fan commented in response to why the idea of a 1v1 tournament has not caught up at the All-Star Weekend.

Besides, it’s a different time. Eons ago, there was supposed to be a Shaq vs. Hakeem for $1 million. Ended up getting canceled. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar vs. Julius Erving one-on-one on pay-per-view in the early ’90s? Even then, one-on-one showdowns were tricky to pull off.

Another fan echoed the sentiment: “Mannnn this WNBA Unrivaled is 🔥 and these 1v1 crazyyyy NBA hoopers scared to play 1v1.”

It’s not that NBA players lack the skill—it’s the brand risk. A bad game on national television, getting shut down by a rival? That’s a viral moment nobody wants. Yet, the appetite is there. One fan put it simply: “1v1 like Unrivaled is doing would be a good addition to NBA All-Star Weekend tbh.”

The NBA has already experimented with its All-Star format this year, introducing a mini-tournament where four teams play to 40 points. There’s no game clock—only a shot clock—and nobody fouls out. The fourth team will be the winner of the Rising Stars competition, named Team Candace in honor of Candace Parker.

But will that be enough?

The response to Unrivaled shows that fans crave something different, something raw and personal. 1-on-1 is as pure as the game gets. No teammates, no systems—just skill vs. skill. And if Unrivaled has proven anything, it’s that people will watch. Now, the ball is in the NBA’s court.