The Houston Rockets quietly handled a minor medical issue for their newest superstar. Kevin Durant underwent thumb surgery following his blockbuster trade to Houston, but the team’s front office isn’t losing sleep over it. The procedure was so low-key that no major outlets caught wind of it until now.
Why Did Kevin Durant Need Thumb Surgery?
Chris Baldwin, Network Editorial Director at PaperCity Magazine, broke the exclusive story late Monday night. Durant underwent the procedure on his left non-shooting hand, addressing an injury that had been bothering him during the 2024-25 season.
Baldwin wrote, “New Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant underwent thumb surgery recently, NBA sources tell PaperCity. The very quiet surgery — which no outlet has reported on till now — is considered minor, and a source tells PaperCity that Rockets leadership ‘did not give it a second thought’ after the team’s doctors looked at x-rays of the thumb.”
New Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant underwent thumb surgery this offseason, NBA sources tell @PaperCityMag. The surgery is considered minor and a source tells PaperCity that the Rockets leadership “did not give it a second thought” after their doctors looked at it. Full story… pic.twitter.com/xONt6pUK5A
— Chris Baldwin (@ChrisYBaldwin) July 14, 2025
The injury wasn’t new. Durant dealt with thumb problems throughout the 2024-25 campaign while playing for Phoenix. Baldwin noted that Durant “played through a thumb injury on his left non-shooting hand at times, wearing a thumb brace when off the court.” Despite the discomfort, Durant maintained elite shooting percentages, hitting 52.7% from the field, 43% from three, and 83.9% from the free-throw line across 62 games.
What Does Durant’s Surgery Mean for the Rockets?
Houston’s medical staff reviewed Durant’s X-rays and gave the green light without hesitation. The senior journalist reported that the Rockets’ front office showed no concern about the surgery or its secretive nature.
Meanwhile, the team has yet to formally introduce Durant at a press conference. Baldwin noted that Durant “has not been formally introduced by the team yet in the type of press conference that often accompanies such a monumental player acquisition.”
The Rockets officially announced Durant’s arrival on July 6 through a press release. The historic seven-team trade brought both Durant and center Clint Capela to Houston, involving Atlanta, Brooklyn, Golden State, the Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota, and Phoenix. Houston sent Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, the 2025 No. 10 pick used to draft Khaman Maluach, and five second-round picks to the Suns.
Durant has been spotted enjoying his offseason. He was recently seen at a Drake concert during the Wireless Music Festival in London, where he connected with his former Phoenix teammate Devin Booker.
Following the trade’s completion, Durant shared his thoughts on social media. He posted a farewell message to Phoenix, writing, “My time in Phoenix has come to an end. All these stops along the journey have really impacted me in a positive way. Remember, it’s a world behind the scenes, and those who make things work in that space work tirelessly to make our lives easier as players.”
Durant expressed gratitude to everyone who supported him in Arizona before turning his attention to Houston. He wrote, “I appreciate all the quick interactions with everybody, from support staff to teammates to distant cousins. It’s all a family… I truly believe this NBA is one big community. Much love to Arizona. Houston, I can’t wait!”
