Image Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Kevin Durant’s LATEST VIDEO during the Suns-Clippers game hints at locker room tension

Is everything not well between Durant and Budenholzer?

Image Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Is everything not well in the Suns’ lockeroom? Well, the latest video involving Phoenix Suns’ superstar Kevin Durant and head coach Mike Budenholzer hints at the same.

On Tuesday, March 4, the Suns bounced back from their previous defeat and recorded a close 119-117 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

They overcame a 23-point deficit to stun the Clippers, all thanks to Kevin Durant and Collin Gillespie’s heroics. Phoenix entered the final quarter with 19 points down, marking it the largest final-quarter deficit they have overcome in the history of the franchise.

Durant added 19 points in the final leg, Gillespie scored all 10 of his points in the last 12 minutes. While the win gave them a boost, and compensated with Bradley Beal’s absence in the second half, a video has sent waves of concern among fans and pundits. There are rumors that things aren’t well in the Suns’ dressing room.

During the first-quarter timeout, Budenholzer and Durant engaged in an animated conversation. Just when Durant was walking past Budenholzer, the head coach reached out and tried to say something to him. He placed his hand on Durant’s arm, which the latter pulled away in frustration.

Mike responded to it by shaking his head and Durant, after a few seconds, turned back and shouted at his coach. Though the conversation between them wasn’t clear, fans were convinced that things are certainly not right.

This is not the first time that the news of rift between players and Mike have made rounds. Earlier, it was reported that the relations between Devin Booker and Budenholzer have also strained. However, Booker refuted the claims and called it a “player-coach relationship”.

Kevin Durant and Mike Budenholzer exchange words. 👀

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— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 5, 2025

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“Sometimes my way ain’t the way that Bud wants”- Kevin Durant addresses on-court altercation with Budenholzer

Kevin Durant, who emerged as the hero for his side, was quick to address the on-court incident that occurred earlier during the night. During the post-match press conference, KD slammed the media for making headlines without knowing the dynamics of the relationship.

“That’s what usually happens when you don’t know the dynamics of a relationship. You catch something on TV, you get a quote and now you’re pushing that narrative as if me and Bud don’t do s**t all the time,” said KD.

He went on to say that they are two individuals and there is a difference between how he thinks and how the coach thinks. He added that both understand each other and want good for the team.

“We are competitive as two individuals who want to see things done the right way. And sometimes my way ain’t the way that Bud wants to do it and vise-versa. He allows me as a player on the team, a veteran on the team, to voice my opinion. If we both didn’t care, we would never have stuff like that… He understands where I’m coming from, I understand exactly where he’s coming from,” he added.

Notably, Durant led the Suns with 34 points, seven rebounds and four assists. He shot 10/22 from the field and 4/11 from three pointers in 41 minutes on the court.

“He and I, we’re like old friends”- Mike Budenholzer on on-court spat with KD

Following the win, Budenholzer also addressed the incident and said that they are like old friends.

“He and I, we’re like old friends or whatever, we’re just probably grabbin’ and talkin’ to each other….Really, from that moment, his voice and him talking, feedback, ideas, suggestions was really a big part of the night,” said Mike.

In their next game, the Suns will be up against the Nuggets on Friday, March 7.

Kevin Durant

Los Angeles Clippers

Mike Budenholzer

Phoenix Suns

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.