There are no hard feelings for Kevin Durant as he faced Kyrie Irving on Sunday for the first time since they parted ways this 2022-23 midseason as core members of the Brooklyn Nets.
For Durant, there was nothing unusual given the fact that he fought Irving for the majority of times in his career.
“No emotions at all,” said Durant, via Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. “It was just another game. Most of my career, I played against Kyrie. He was on my team for the last couple of years, but the majority of my career, I played against him. I know how that feels.”
Prior to the weekend, all eyes were watching the Phoenix Suns-Dallas Mavericks bout as both former teammates clashed upon taking a split from the 3 ½ seasons of their lopsided partnership representing the Nets.
In his third game as a Sun, Durant churned a highly efficient 37 markers which includes a go-ahead jumper to hand his team a crucial upper hand on their 130-126 victory. For his part, Irving tallied 30 points and seven dimes on the losing effort in his matchup with the two-time Finals MVP.
With the win, Phoenix maintains its possession of the West’s fifth-seed with a 36-29 card. Dallas meanwhile dropped to seventh place as they hold a 33-32 record.
