One of the most interesting storylines of the postseason thus far is the battle between former teammates Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Durant and Westbrook, who have each won Most Valuable Player trophies during their careers, were selected in back-to-back drafts by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now, they face off in the first round of the postseason in the Western Conference.
After playing alongside one another for one of the most promising young cores in NBA history, there is now a microscope on both of them whenever they interact on or off the court. That continued during Game 3 of the first round between the L.A. Clippers and the Phoenix Suns.
"I don't want no problems, gangsta" 😂
KD jokes with Russ pic.twitter.com/jY3Sa67R5x
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 21, 2023
Durant was at the free-throw line when mics caught him saying “I don’t want no problems, gangsta!” to Westbrook.
Westbrook, who played tight defense (and had a hard foul) when he was matched up with Durant, has clarified there is “no beef” between the two players. He added that he has nothing but respect for everything Durant has accomplished.
Russell Westbrook on facing Kevin Durant:
"It'll be normal for me. I think people still think there's some beef or something. There's no beef. I got not hing but respect for him and things he's done with his career. Happy to see him back from injury."
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 12, 2023
The two players exchanged words on the court during an intense moment earlier in the series. But it was nothing but love between them after the game.
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