Game 2 of the Phoenix Suns versus the LA Clippers series was nothing short of electrifying, and former OKC Thunder teammates, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, were right in the middle of the action. As the Suns began to make a run to start the second half, the Clippers called a timeout, and Westbrook was walking to his bench when Durant, visibly fired up, began to talk some trash.
KD and Russ exchange some words 🍿 pic.twitter.com/Q6TJitXMQw
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 19, 2023
This interaction was just one example of the competitive fire between the two former MVPs that has been on display throughout the series. There’s clearly no love lost between the former teammates, and they’ve been going at each other since the start of the series.
Later in the first quarter, Westbrook found himself defending Durant as they battled for position inside the arc. Despite Westbrook’s nearly successful attempt to steal the ball, Durant was able to recover and drive to the basket. However, Ivica Zubac was there to stop Durant’s drive, forcing the Suns superstar to fade away and shoot a jump shot.
Despite Westbrook’s tough defense, Durant was able to get the shot off. But, in a display of sheer hustle, Westbrook came out of nowhere to block Durant’s shot away, showcasing his incredible defensive skills. Westbrook’s defense and hustle have been critical components of the Clippers’ success in the series, and they were major factors in their Game 1 victory over the Suns.
In fact, Westbrook’s block on Devin Booker’s layup late in Game 1 led to a turnover that ultimately helped secure the Clippers’ win. Although Westbrook struggled with his shooting in Game 1, his incredible defense and hustle on the court have been instrumental in the Clippers’ playoff success.
In the end, it’s clear that Westbrook and Durant’s competitive fire will continue to play a significant role in the series. As the Suns look to even the series against the Clippers, Westbrook’s defensive skills and relentless pursuit of the ball will be critical to their success. And, with the former teammates going head-to-head, fans can expect nothing short of an intense and thrilling matchup.
Kevin Durant Bounces Back: Superstar Looks to Overcome Playoff Struggles and Lead Suns to Victory
Kevin Durant’s historic regular season performance has been overshadowed by his team’s Game 1 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, making his playoff record look bad. The Suns forward has lost his last seven playoff games, and has only won one out of his last ten. Durant has still been averaging 31.9 points per game during that stretch, but his efficiency has been below his usual standards, shooting 44% from the field and 33% from three-point range.
Kevin Durant performed well after the Game 1 loss to draw the series at 1-1. He score 25 points and had 6 rounds and 5 assists in the game 2 win. While the Suns are too good to be swept, if Durant fails to lead them past the first round, he could come under criticism for his playoff record.
