Kevin Durant Explains Why He Didn’t Have Mavericks Fans Ejected After Pregame Confrontation

The Suns forward discussed a heated moment before Thursday’s contest.

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant is used to criticism. However, what he heard before the Suns’ 123–113 loss to the Dallas Mavericks Thursday crossed a line.

“[Fans] don’t look at us as humans sometimes. So when you get a chance to let a person know how you feel real quick, then they’ll backtrack,” Durant said. “See, we’re animals, we’re circus acts, we’re entertainers to them instead of real people.”

Before the game, a woman called Durant a “b----” in a video captured by Jonah Javad of WFAA-TV in Dallas. Angered, Durant confronted the woman and her male companion, who seemed surprised.

When security moved to eject them, Durant intervened on the fans’ behalf.

Mavs fan calls Kevin Durant “a b*tch” and KD pauses to have words.

Security about to kick the fans out when KD comes back to tell them not to kick them out. pic.twitter.com/CTqPnM4T16

— Jonah Javad (@JonahJavad) February 23, 2024

After the game—during which Durant scored 23 points and brought down six rebounds—the future Hall of Famer explained his rationale.

“People usually do that, call me ‘coward,’ ‘b----’ with my back turned, and it wasn’t too many people around,” Durant said. “I know you don’t mean that and I’m not going to get you kicked out because you paid your money for these tickets, you had a couple of drinks and I understand how people get, but it’s better ways to try to get my attention and talk to me other than call me a b---- out my name because you’re protected in these arenas.”