Durant Returns to Barclays Center, Nets Ignore Request for No Tribute

In a return to the Barclays Center, Kevin Durant faced his former team, the Brooklyn Nets, as a member of the Phoenix Suns. Despite Durant’s explicit request on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) for no tribute video, the Nets disregarded his plea, playing a 30-second video showcasing highlights from his time with the organization.

Durant had posted on X before the game, asking the Nets not to create a tribute video, stating, “Please don’t, the night will be better without it.” However, the Nets went ahead with the tribute during the Suns’ lineup announcement.

Durant, who spent three and a half seasons with the Nets before being traded to the Suns in February, didn’t visibly react to the video during the game. Despite his relatively short tenure in Brooklyn, Durant has not expressed any specific negative sentiments towards his former team, even as they grappled with playoff struggles and organizational challenges during his time there.

The forward had played alongside Kyrie Irving and James Harden for only 17 games during his stint with the Nets. Despite the brief partnership, Durant has refrained from speaking ill of the organization and chose not to receive a tribute, emphasizing the brevity of his time in Brooklyn.