The 2025 NBA All-Star Game marked the Bay Area’s first time hosting the event since Oakland welcomed the exhibition in 2000.
It was a memorable night not just for Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, but also for Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant.
Curry claimed the All-Star Game MVP award, but both he and Durant were met with loud cheers from Bay Area fans.
Durant enjoyed a highly successful three-year stint with the Warriors, securing back-to-back NBA titles in 2017 and 2018 before an Achilles injury derailed their 2019 championship run.
His departure from Golden State sparked widespread speculation, with reports citing tensions with Draymond Green and suggestions that he didn’t feel fully embraced by Warriors fans.
While Durant has previously addressed those rumors, the 15-time NBA All-Star spoke with ClutchPoints after Sunday’s game, reflecting on the warm reception he received in the Bay Area.
“I always felt the love from the fans in the Bay Area,” Kevin Durant told ClutchPoints. “Never thought for a second that I ain’t get no love out here. And I heard people saying that I might not feel that love and I didn’t know it was this much love, but everywhere I go all around the world, countries have Warriors fans. And they always showed me love. Of course I heard [the cheers]. Especially Oracle, that’s my home. We had a lot of great memories in the Bay Area so we have a tight relationship, the fans and myself.”
The NBA All-Star Game offered a rare chance for Kevin Durant to reunite with his former Warriors and Team USA teammate Stephen Curry, and the duo delivered an exciting performance.
“It’s just so easy to play with Steph [Curry],” the Suns forward added. “He doesn’t demand the ball, he doesn’t have a demanding personality. He just plays within the flow of the game and those are the types of players that are easy to play with.”
During his three seasons with the Warriors, Kevin Durant posted impressive numbers, averaging 25.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 52.4% from the field and 38.4% from beyond the arc.
In 48 playoff games, including 10 NBA Finals appearances, he elevated his play, averaging 29.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game on 51.4% shooting and 39.5% from three.
Ahead of the 2025 NBA trade deadline, the Warriors and Suns reportedly had a framework in place for a deal that would have sent Durant back to the Bay Area. However, the trade ultimately collapsed, and Golden State instead acquired Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler to pair alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
This season, Durant has continued to shine for Phoenix, averaging 27.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game on an efficient 53.2% shooting from the field and 40.4% from deep.
The Warriors and Suns are set to face off one last time this season in Phoenix on April 8, 2025.
