After completely missing the playoffs last season, the Phoenix Suns are determined to prove they’re still contenders. If we see their early preseason performance reflects that hunger. The Suns have already won two of their first three preseason games in the 2025-26 preseason.
Although they narrowly lost 111-109 to the Brooklyn Nets a clip of their Suns’ squad’s gameplay during the game quickly made its way around social media and that’s when things took an unexpected turn. A fan used the moment to take a jab at former Suns star Kevin Durant.
What Did Kevin Durant Say to a Fan Who Jabbed at Him?
On Sunday, a Suns supporter quote-tweeted the viral clip, suggesting that the Suns won the trade with the Houston Rockets and appeared better off without Durant.
“Suns won the trade!… Thank You @KDTrey5,” wrote the fan on X.
Most NBA players might have scrolled past the comment and moved on. But not Durant. The two-time Finals MVP is famously one of the most active players on X, and he has never shied away from engaging with fans online.
This time was no different as Durant noticed the dig and he wasted no time in firing back with a sharp response that reminded everyone he’s still very much paying attention.
“No expectations=better vibes. Enjoy the season brother,” wrote KD as the response.
The Suns originally acquired Durant from the Brooklyn Nets in February 2023 in a blockbuster deal that was designed to form a new Big Three alongside Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
Durant did everything expected of him on the court. He averaged 29.0 points in the 2023 postseason, 26.8 points in 2024, and 26.6 points per game during the 2024-25 regular season. Yet despite his consistent production, Phoenix couldn’t turn that firepower into playoff success.
The team fell in the second round in back-to-back seasons before missing the playoffs entirely in 2025, which prompted significant front-office changes.
That offseason, the Suns made headlines again by dealing Durant to the Houston Rockets in a record-setting seven-team trade. In return, Phoenix landed Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and rookie Khaman Maluach. This move effectively broke up their once-vaunted trio.
The Suns reportedly refused to move Devin Booker, as, according to the Suns, Booker was still in his prime. At the same time, Bradley Beal’s no-trade clause kept him locked in at the time. However, Beal later joined the Los Angeles Clippers in July, which left Booker as the last remaining member of the trio in Phoenix.
Currently, Durant is already showing his skills in Houston. He scored 20 points in his preseason debut with the Rockets against the Utah Jazz, shooting 7-of-10 from the field, including 1-of-2 from beyond the arc. He did all these in just 23 minutes of action and helped the Rockets win (140-127).
Now the Rockets are preparing for their next preseason matchup, which is against the New Orleans Pelicans on October 14. Her,e KD will have another opportunity to silence the critics.
