The Diamonds hitmaker wrote a post on photo-sharing website Instagram, which shot down Barnes's claims that the two were "just past the crush stage", reports tmz.com.
Read: When Rihanna shut Floyd Mayweather up
https://instagram.com/p/6dZ1YSBM-S/?taken-by=badgalriri
The post came after Memphis Grizzlies star Barnes snubbed rumours that he was dating Rihanna, but suggested it was heading that way.
"Rihanna is my friend right now, so we'll see where it goes. It just passed the crush stage a little bit," he said.
Meanwhile, Rihanna and Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton have fuelled dating rumours after being spotted spending a night out together in New York.
Read: Pakistani designer Ali Xeeshan to dress Rihanna
Rihanna, 27, was seen getting cosy with Hamilton, 30, at the annual Crop Over carnival in Barbados, and the two spent some quality time together.
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