Kevin Durant’s return to Barclays Center as a member of the Phoenix Suns on Friday night was more than just another game in the 2024-25 NBA season. The former Brooklyn Nets star, who spent three and a half seasons with the team (he did sit out the entire 2019-20 season), took time to reflect on his tenure with the Nets.
Recall that Durant signed with the Nets in 2019 alongside another superstar in Kyrie Irving. Not surprisingly, they faced high expectations that were ultimately derailed by injuries, roster changes and playoff disappointments. Despite having both Durant and Irving, the Nets failed to make it to a single NBA Finals in that time.
While Durant’s Suns are among the Western Conference elites this season, his visit to his old home court brought a mix of nostalgia and honesty about his time in black and white.
“Obviously that playoff game, Game 5, we beat the Bucks here,” Durant said early Wednesday when asked about his favorite memory with the Nets, per Erik Slater. He referenced the 2021 Eastern Conference Semifinals, one of the highlights of his Brooklyn stint. Despite losing to the Milwaukee Bucks in that series, Durant still counts those games as some of his most memorable moments.
Asked Kevin Durant if he had a favorite Nets memory at Barclays Center:
“Obviously that playoff game, Game 5, we beat the Bucks here. The first two games we beat the Bucks here. There’s a few regular season games. I think we beat Philly when everybody had Covid and it was just… pic.twitter.com/puWyMVRgEi
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) January 23, 2025
Kevin Durant also fondly recalled regular season games, including a gritty win against Philadelphia when much of the roster was sidelined due to COVID.
“It was just me, Cam Thomas as a rookie, Nic [Claxton], David Duke, Kessler Edwards. I love that game, that was a fun game,” the Suns forward added.
Durant proceeded to reflect on his transition to Brooklyn, noting that he “didn’t know how it would feel moving, living and playing basketball in NY.
“I was a little nervous to be honest, but once I got settled in and figured out my routine here, it was the most fun I’ve had in a long time playing ball. I really enjoyed myself, regardless of the chaos that was going around,” KD further stated, via Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Kevin Durant: “I didn’t know how it would feel moving, living, and playing basketball in NY. I was a little nervous to be honest, but once I got settled in and figured out my routine here, it was the most fun I’ve had in a long time playing ball. I really enjoyed myself,… pic.twitter.com/TjjxdoIAok
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) January 23, 2025
Though the Nets never reached the NBA Finals during Durant’s time, the two-time champion and MVP was reflective, not regretful.
“There’s a lot of fun moments that weren’t necessarily huge moments… It didn’t amount to anything huge, so it probably will get swept under the rug,” he told reporters. “But the ones who were around, deep in our hearts we know that was a special time.”
Now leading a championship-contending Suns team, Durant’s performance continues to show his dominance at age 36. Averaging over 27 points per game this season, Durant remains focused on the future while appreciating the journey that brought him to this point.
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