In a recent interview, Kevin Durant sought to clarify comments he made that had previously stirred tension with former Golden State Warriors teammate Draymond Green. The comments in question came in the aftermath of an infamous incident in November 2018, when Green was suspended for a game by the Warriors following a heated on-court argument with Durant. Now, years after their on-court altercation, Durant has offered more insight into his perspective, aiming to put the matter to rest and clear the air with Green.
The altercation between Durant and Green became a major storyline during the 2018-2019 season, a year in which the Warriors were chasing their third consecutive NBA title. The incident occurred during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers, where an argument between the two stars spilled over into the locker room. Green reportedly questioned Durant’s commitment to the team, bringing up Durant’s impending free agency decision, which had already been a topic of speculation throughout the season. The confrontation led to the Warriors suspending Green for one game, a move that sent shockwaves through the NBA.
In the aftermath, Durant made comments that seemed to suggest he was dissatisfied with how the situation was handled internally by the Warriors’ organization. Many interpreted his remarks as criticizing the Warriors’ decision to suspend Green, and the tension between the two players lingered, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty. It was a moment that many believe contributed to Durant’s decision to leave Golden State for the Brooklyn Nets after that season.
During his recent clarification, Durant acknowledged that his comments had been misunderstood and explained that he never intended to blame Green directly for the friction that followed. Instead, he expressed frustration with the broader dynamics and pressure that surrounded the team at the time. “When I spoke back then, a lot of people thought I was calling out Draymond, but really, I was frustrated with how the whole situation went down,” Durant explained. “We were in the middle of trying to win a championship, and it just felt like everything got blown up more than it needed to.”
Durant’s comments come at a time when he and Green have reportedly mended their relationship. The two players have had candid conversations about the incident in the years since, with both recognizing how the intense scrutiny and pressures of competing for championships affected their dynamic. In fact, Durant and Green addressed the issue in an interview on Green’s podcast in 2021, where they discussed how the suspension and the way it was handled by the Warriors’ front office influenced the team’s chemistry.
In his recent remarks, Durant made it clear that while the altercation was a difficult chapter in their time together, he does not hold any ill will toward Green. “Draymond and I have talked through it, and there’s a mutual respect there,” Durant said. “We’ve won together, we’ve been through battles together, and at the end of the day, that’s what matters.”
For his part, Green has also spoken about the incident on various occasions, expressing his belief that the Warriors’ decision to suspend him only added to the drama rather than resolving the issue. However, he has also emphasized that his relationship with Durant was always deeper than a single argument, pointing to their shared successes as teammates and the bond that comes from competing at the highest level.
The clarification from Durant helps to shed light on the complexities of the situation, illustrating how intense pressure and expectations can impact relationships within a team. For the Warriors, the incident marked a turning point in their pursuit of a dynasty, as the team eventually fell short in the 2019 NBA Finals, and Durant moved on to the next chapter of his career. While the Warriors have since rebuilt and won another title in 2022, the memory of that turbulent 2018-2019 season lingers as a reminder of how even the most successful teams can face challenges from within.
As Durant now plays for the Phoenix Suns and Green remains a key figure for the Warriors, both players have continued to cement their legacies in the NBA. Their ability to address past disagreements openly has allowed them to move forward, and their mutual respect as competitors is evident. While the incident remains a part of their shared history, both Durant and Green seem determined to focus on the future and the respective goals they hope to achieve with their current teams.
For fans of both Durant and Green, the clarification serves as a reminder that conflicts between elite competitors can often be more nuanced than they appear. What happened between Durant and Green was not just about one moment on the court but a convergence of pressures that come with striving for greatness. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, Durant’s efforts to clear up his past comments suggest a willingness to put those challenges behind him and embrace a new chapter of his career.