Kevin Durant And Russell Westbrook Have Heated Confrontation During Warriors Game

Former teammates Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, who have had issues on the court before, got into a squabble during the third quarter of Wednesday’s game between the Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder. The two received technical fouls afterward.

Westbrook and Durant exchanged words during the Thunder’s 108-91 win over the Warriors. Westbrook swatted the ball out of Durant’s hands, which led to the confrontation. The two were then separated by teammates and officials. Durant, who finished the game with 21 points and five rebounds, said the incident was no deeper than friendly competition.

"Man, that's just ball," Durant told reporters after the game. "He's a competitor, I'm a competitor. We like to go at it, both of us, and that's just part of the game, so I respect it. I've got nothing but love for it. I'm expecting it again when we play 'em again, but it's all fun and games."

This was Durant’s second game against his former team since he signed with the Warriors during free agency in 2016. After he joined the team, many have speculated he and Westbrook have a rivalry, which Durant said has gotten out of hand. Warriors fans booed the 2016 Finals MVP every time he touched the ball.

"It's not about me and Russ," Durant told ESPN after the game. "It's about the Thunder and the Warriors. Myself and Russ are competing out there. That's part of the game. It's basketball. It's not about us. We're just playing the game, and trash talking is part of it. That's all it is."

Westbrook echoed Durant’s sentiment during a post-game interview. The Thunder guard led his team to the victory with 34 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.

"I play the same way every night," Westbrook said. "Whether it's against Kevin, whether it's against. who we play Friday? Detroit. Reggie Jackson. Dennis Smith on Saturday. It don't matter who it is. On the court, I don't got no friends. Only friend I have is the basketball, that's it. And obviously my teammates. But I go out and compete, I go out and play at a high level. Like I've been saying since day one, and that's what I do."