Kevin Durant and Gary Payton were getting into it during Friday’s game
Kevin Durant has long been known for his antagonistic behavior on social media, but the 11-time All-NBA selection proved Friday that his proclivity for trash talk extends to even the most revered figures in the sport.
The 6’11 forward and his Phoenix Suns matched up with Golden State Friday evening, bringing Hall of Famer Gary Payton down to the Bay Area to watch his son, a ninth-year guard with the Warriors, in action. Payton was seated in the front row at the Chase Center Friday, leaving him within shouting distance for a viral back-and-forth with Durant as the Suns star closed out a dominant 130-105 victory at Golden State.
It’s unclear what exactly sparked the conflict between Durant and Payton, but a courtside video captured the 6’11 star saying, “You’re up here, I’m at the ceiling.” Payton quickly shot back by saying, “I’m at the ceiling,” while Durant boasted about his superior NBA longevity. “By the time you was my age, you was the eighth man on the bench,” Durant said.
KD and Gary Payton LMAOOOO pic.twitter.com/2aBU3K25uN
— 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆𝒓 (@CardsCanyon) February 1, 2025
Payton downplayed the exchange when questioned by ESPN.com reporter Jorge Sedano, claiming the pair were “just talking junk.” Durant, similarly, took a reconciliatory approach after being asked about the incident by reporters following the game.
Durant led Phoenix to a dominant win Friday. (Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
“It’s always good rapport with the older generation,” Durant said. “They respect me. I respect what they’ve done. But there’s some players that still got that competitive edge and wish they were still out there and still keep that with them everywhere they go. That’s GP, and I respect that about him. So any time, any chance I get to see him, man, we going to talk this trash until we die. It’s all love.”
Durant and Payton’s mutually successful NBA careers never quite overlapped, with the longtime Seattle SuperSonics legend announcing his retirement the same offseason while the former Texas star was drafted by the franchise that same offseason.