After the Houston Rockets defeated the Boston Celtics on Monday evening, Kevin Durant had an awkward interaction during his postgame availability.
Durant finished the game with just 12 points, shooting 5-of-6 from the field during the contest while connecting on 2-of-3 attempts at the free-throw line across 32 minutes of action. Houston won, 109-93, over Boston. The Rockets saw a balanced scoring attack led by Alperen Şengün, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson.
The two-time NBA Finals MVP was confused about why a reporter would ask him about his individual performance on the court following a victory. He pointed out that Smith also took a step back in scoring compared to his previous game-over-game performance.
Kevin Durant was asked about his
lack of shots on Monday: "We won the game. Why are you singling me out?" "Are you just watching me all game? Do you have a solo cam on me?" Durant went 5-6 from the field in a 16-point win over Boston.pic.twitter.com/flgkJZbLwM
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) November 3, 2026
The reporter, Varun Shankar, noted that Smith Jr. is not one of the fifth-highest leading scorers in league history.
Shankar then inquired about what it's like when teams try to scheme Durant out of the game and how that may open up the floor for his teammates. For what it is worth, data suggests that Durant is indeed still one of the most double-teamed players in the league. That undeniably creates more opportunities for the players he shares the court with.
But rather than ask that question, Durant interrupted the inquiry and quickly asked if Shankar only watched him during the game with a "solo" camera.
Kevin Durant played 32 minutes and took just six shots — it's just the second time in his career he's played >30 min and taken that few shots. He's taken 10 or fewer FGAs in 4/8 games this season. His career high is seven.
— Varun Shankar (@ByVarunShankar) November 3, 2026
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In fairness to Shankar, it was unprecedented how little Durant shot the ball compared to nearly every other game he has ever played in the NBA. However, while, Shankar clarified that he wasn't criticizing Durant, the 16-time NBA All-Star did not believe him.
He later acknowledged that his presence alone is indeed impactful to the game of basketball, though, which is all he needed to say from the start. As he explained, his mere existence causes a reaction for opposing defenses.
Durant easily could have just answered the question that way, but instead, this awkward back-and-forth (and not the insightful answer) will remain the primary memory from this particular press conference.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Kevin Durant's hostile exchange with reporter was so unnecessary
