Generally speaking, the NBA performed well on Christmas Day. Wednesday’s league schedule featured five games, with the Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns matchup at Footprint Centre in Phoenix being as the league’s highlight. When asked how he felt about performing well for the fans on such a memorable day, Suns star forward Kevin Durant made sure to mention two other players who seemed to get less attention than him: Golden State Warriors point guard Steph Curry and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James. Durant notably brought up former teammate Russell Westbrook, who has a long history with the 2013–14 NBA MVP winner, and three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
“I mean, so many great talents in this league,” Durant said, via ESPN. “It’s just not just us three [me, Curry and James]. You see [Nikola Jokic tonight. You see a Hall of Famer, [an] icon in Russell [Westbrook] out here tonight. You see so many great young players around the league today. It was an amazing day for basketball. I’m grateful I was able to play on this great day and entertain the fans and get a win at home.”
Many believe that Westbrook harboured resentment towards Durant following his 2016 departure from the Thunder to join the Golden State Warriors. Durant still obviously respects Westbrook, nevertheless. With 27 points at the end of the Nuggets game, Durant helped the Suns win 110-100. Westbrook scored 17 points off the bench, while Jokic led Denver with 25 points and 15 rebounds. It was a sweet revenge for Phoenix, which lost to Jokic and company on Monday, 117-90.
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