Kevin Durant’s time with the Phoenix Suns is beginning to show signs of tension,
as the star forward was caught in a heated moment with head coach Mike Budenholzer during a recent game.
In their 119-117 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night, Durant was seen pulling his arm away from Budenholzer in a brief but noticeable exchange during a timeout.
A Frustrating On-Court Moment
While the exact cause of the confrontation remains unclear, TNT’s Stephanie Ready reported that the disagreement stemmed from a “miscommunication” on the court.
Video footage of the exchange captured the tense interaction, though it also showed the two seemingly patching things up before the timeout ended.
Public disagreements between a head coach and a franchise player can often indicate deeper issues, but Durant downplayed the moment when asked about it postgame.
His response was expected, as players and teams often attempt to minimize in-game tensions to avoid fueling speculation.
Suns Pull Off a Historic Comeback
Despite the on-court drama, the Suns managed to mount an impressive comeback after trailing by as many as 23 points. The victory marked the largest fourth-quarter comeback in franchise history, with Durant leading the charge. He delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 34 points, 19 of which came in the final quarter.
Devin Booker contributed 17 points and eight assists, while Nick Richards added 16 points and seven rebounds. Mason Plumlee provided a spark off the bench with 14 points. For the Clippers, Ivica Zubac had a dominant outing with 35 points and 10 rebounds, while James Harden added 21 points and 15 assists.
Uncertain Future for Durant and the Suns
The Suns’ struggles this season have only intensified speculation about Durant’s future with the team. Reports have suggested that Phoenix was exploring a trade for Durant at the deadline, with the Golden State Warriors as a potential landing spot. However, the deal ultimately fell through, and Durant later confirmed that he wasn’t interested in a return to the Warriors, primarily because he wanted to avoid relocating.
Despite the win over the Clippers, the Suns have been in a downward spiral, losing 11 of their last 15 games. Their current record of 29-33 puts them at risk of missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season, which concluded in the NBA bubble. The trio of Durant, Booker, and Bradley Beal was expected to be one of the league’s most dangerous offensive forces, but their chemistry on the court has yet to yield consistent success.
A Looming Decision for Phoenix
With the team struggling and playoff hopes fading, the Suns are reportedly preparing to make major changes this summer, including potentially moving Durant. While it remains to be seen what direction Phoenix will take, one thing is clear—things are far from ideal between Durant and the Suns.
Though Durant and Budenholzer seemed to reconcile after their in-game dispute, the bigger picture remains uncertain. If Phoenix continues to falter, Durant’s tenure with the team could be coming to an abrupt end sooner rather than later.
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