All eyes are on Kevin Durant in OKC

More than nine years ago, Kevin Durant shockingly signed with the Golden State Warriors, leaving Oklahoma City Thunder for the franchise that sent him and his teammates home the previous season after overcoming a 3-1 deficit. The move resonated with an entire fan base and ultimately forced people to watch their team’s most legendary player help form one of the most unstoppable juggernauts in modern NBA history. OKC has had plenty of time to process those hard feelings.
And now he has the title to erase past pain. In most cases, there would be no reason to fuel the animosity that existed between Durant and the fans, but it’s hard to ignore that story on this particular occasion. Before future Hall of Fame hitter made his Houston Rockets debut against Oklahoma City at the Pace Center in Season opener on TuesdayThe Thunder hung their first NBA championship banner and performed their ring ceremony.
Although Houston chose to stay in the locker room during the festivities, it must be strange for Durant to face OKC on a night when his former team is celebrating its crowning achievement. He never reached his peak with the Thunder, with other superstars and many misfortunes standing in his way. The two-time Finals MVP and 2013-14 regular season MVP is sure to have some thoughts going through his head, even if he won’t admit it publicly.
Still, Kevin Durant is now focused on making history with the Rockets, and to do that, he’ll likely have to outscore the defending champions. A valued offseason acquisition arrived at the building ahead of the much-anticipated first game of the 2025-26 NBA campaign, drawing plenty of strong reactions in the process.
KD IS BACK IN OKC 👀
Don’t miss Durant’s Rockets debut against the Thunder TONIGHT at 7:30pm ET on NBC & Peacock 🍿 pic.twitter.com/FuKSIP1TIi7
— NBA (@NBA) October 21, 2025
Is the Kevin Durant-Thunder saga reigniting?
“Kevin Durant watching OKC raise the championship banner is going to put a smile on my face tonight. @Ioiobetz noted on X. “Kevin Durant got to sit there and watch the Thunder hang the banner today in OKC and I can’t wait,” @JaknifeTTV is posted. “I know he got his ring, but he has to know he didn’t have to leave OKC to do it.
“This better not turn into another thunderstorm, we can’t handle it again,” @cosmos_atom_ said. Emotions are running high ahead of this Western Conference matchup. The Thunder are intent on retaining their title and eventually establishing themselves as the newest hoops dynasty, and in a fitting twist, Durant is one of their biggest obstacles.
Both Houston and OKC have a long way to go before they can achieve their goals, and it all starts with an exciting reunion.
2025-10-21 23:37:00







