“I Had COVID Brain”: Larsa Pippen Admits Dating a Married NBA Sharpshooter Was a Huge Mistake And Why the Fallout Still Follows Her
Larsa Pippen has never been just another name connected to the NBA. As the former wife of Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, her proximity to basketball royalty guaranteed attention. But over the years, it wasn’t her past marriage that kept her in headlines it was her dating life.
Why Larsa Pippen Is Always in the Middle of NBA Drama
From younger NBA players to controversial relationships that ignited social media debates, Larsa’s romantic choices often became public spectacles. Some viewed her as unapologetically living her life, while others painted her as reckless. Regardless of where opinions landed, one thing remained constant: whenever Larsa spoke, the internet listened.
Her recent admission regarding Malik Beasley reopened one of the most criticized chapters of her personal life and for the first time, she didn’t defend it.
The Malik Beasley Relationship That Sparked Outrage
In 2020, photos of Larsa Pippen and Malik Beasley holding hands in Miami exploded across social media. The images alone would have caused chatter, but the real firestorm came from one uncomfortable detail Beasley was still legally married at the time.
Beasley’s wife, Montana Yao, soon filed for divorce, and public opinion immediately turned hostile. Larsa was accused of crossing lines, breaking up a family, and disrespecting boundaries. While she insisted Beasley was already separated, the optics were brutal.
For months, the relationship lived under intense scrutiny. Every outing was dissected, every post analyzed, and every move criticized. It wasn’t just gossip anymore it was a full-blown public trial.
“I Had COVID Brain”: Larsa’s Blunt Admission
Years later, Larsa finally spoke with a level of honesty that surprised many. Rather than justifying her choices, she called the relationship exactly what critics labeled it from the beginning a mistake.
She attributed her mindset at the time to the emotional and psychological fog of the COVID lockdown era, describing herself as vulnerable, isolated, and not thinking clearly. According to her, Malik’s persistence wore her down, and in a moment of weakened judgment, she allowed something she now regrets.
The phrase “COVID brain” quickly went viral. Some saw it as an excuse, others as rare self-awareness. But either way, it marked a shift. For once, Larsa wasn’t deflecting blame she was owning the fallout.
The Love Triangle That Refused to Stay Quiet
What made the situation worse was the presence of a third party who never disappeared from the narrative. Montana Yao wasn’t a silent figure in the background. She spoke out, posted emotional messages, and made it clear that the pain was real.
Larsa pushed back, stating that Malik and Montana were already separated and that she was being unfairly villainized. She argued that her own long, messy divorce from Scottie Pippen had taught her how complicated relationships could be behind closed doors.
Still, the damage was done. Fans and media alike framed the situation as a love triangle that symbolized everything messy about NBA celebrity culture. Even after Larsa and Malik broke up in 2021, the controversy followed them both.
Malik Beasley’s Life Spiraling Off the Court
While Larsa moved on relatively unscathed, Malik Beasley’s life grew increasingly chaotic. After briefly reconciling with Montana Yao and welcoming a child in 2022, the relationship collapsed again in 2025, confirming that stability had never truly returned.
Off the court, Beasley’s problems multiplied. Reports surfaced of financial struggles and investigations tied to betting irregularities. NBA teams distanced themselves, and his once-promising career stalled completely.
In interviews, Beasley spoke about grinding in silence, waiting for another opportunity, and feeling overlooked. Yet the perception remained that his off-court decisions including the relationship with Larsa had permanently damaged his credibility.
Why Larsa Regrets It Now More Than Ever
Looking back, Larsa’s regret seems rooted not just in public backlash, but in how unnecessary the chaos was. She gained nothing from the relationship except criticism, stress, and long-term damage to her reputation.
Her admission felt less like a headline grab and more like closure. For the first time, she framed the situation as a lesson rather than a misunderstanding. In a world where celebrity figures often rewrite history to protect themselves, her honesty stood out.
It also highlighted how fame, isolation, and emotional vulnerability can collide in destructive ways — especially when boundaries are blurred and decisions are made under pressure.
A Cautionary Tale of Fame, Timing, and Bad Decisions
The Larsa Pippen Malik Beasley saga is more than celebrity gossip. It’s a modern cautionary tale about how fast lives unravel when personal choices collide with public scrutiny.
For Larsa, it was a reminder that visibility magnifies mistakes. For Beasley, it was one of several missteps that derailed his career. And for fans, it was a reminder that behind every viral headline are consequences that last far longer than the news cycle.
In the end, calling it a mistake may be the most honest thing Larsa Pippen has ever done