Emotions ran high during the Monday game between the Phoenix Suns and Memphis Grizzlies as Kevin Durant got into heated altercations with multiple players. The Suns star even went head-to-head with Desmond Bane, and for a moment, it looked like he might throw a Roman Reigns-style Superman punch.
Fans React to Wild Kevin Durant Altercation With Memphis Grizzlies Stars
As Durant’s future in Phoenix grows increasingly uncertain, he appeared to be disrespected by a second-round Grizzlies rookie late in the third quarter. Cam Spencer drained a corner three over Durant and seemed to give the former MVP a verbal “hello.”
Spencer’s antics didn’t sit well with Durant, leading to a heated exchange. But things escalated when Bane stepped in to defend his teammate.
Durant and Bane went nose to nose before the Suns forward shoved him away, making the moment feel more like a WWE match than an NBA game.
“NBA becoming like WWE,” one user noted.
Another fan found Spencer’s move amusing, sarcastically commenting.
“Not Cam Spencer disrespecting Kevin Durant, comedy,” they wrote.
Others were quick to call out Bane’s actions.
“Who the f*** does Desmond Bane think he is?” one fan commented.
“LOL, once again, it’s the clowns from Memphis. Irrelevant players who will fade into history when they retire doing so much talking,” another fan wrote.
“Desmond Bane so f***ing corny… he really thinks dudes are scared of him,” another added.
It’s clear most fans weren’t happy with the disrespect toward Durant, widely regarded as one of the best players of all time and among the greatest scorers in NBA history.
While the Suns lost 120-118, Durant proved his value, leading all scorers with 35 points, to go with five assists and five rebounds. Devin Booker was the only other Suns player to score more than 20, while Ja Morant led Memphis with 29 points, four rebounds, and 12 assists.
Phoenix now sits 11th in the Western Conference with a 30-35 record, and speculation is growing that Durant could be on the move this offseason as he enters the final year of his $194 million contract.
ESPN’s Shams Charania echoed that sentiment on NBA Countdown, stating:
“The stakes are high. Unless there’s a significant run into the playoffs for the Phoenix Suns, league sources believe that there will be real changes coming. From a roster standpoint, that likely starts with Kevin Durant.”
Durant is under contract through 2025-26 and is eligible for an extension. He can sign a two-year deal worth approximately $120 million, keeping him under contract through 2027-28.
But the odds of that happening seem slim. Right now, all signs point to Durant wearing a different jersey in the near future.