NBA news: Why Stephen A. Smith 'loved' Kevin Durant, Chris Paul's heated exchange
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Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant and San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul had a heated exchange during their matchup on Friday, drawing attention from ESPN's Stephen A. Smith. The confrontation occurred as the Suns fell to the Spurs 120-109 in their first game following the All-Star break.
On ESPN's First Take, Smith shared his thoughts on the interaction between the former teammates, emphasizing his appreciation for their competitive intensity.
.@WindhorstESPN and @stephenasmith react to CP3 and KD’s heated exchange in Suns-Spurs Thursday pic.twitter.com/BIYyDopuaa
— First Take (@FirstTake) February 21, 2025
"You love that, okay? Even though obviously, Chris Paul ain't guarding Kevin Durant and vice versa. The bottom line is you love to see it… those are two future first-ballot Hall of Famers going at each other like that and caring about the competition, and I loved it," Smith said. "I wanna see more of it. I wanna see it all of the time."
Kevin Durant, Chris Paul’s competitive fire stands out as Suns struggle vs. Spurs
Durant, who played alongside Paul for the Suns last season before the veteran guard was traded to the Golden State Warriors, finished the game with 22 points, five rebounds, and two assists while shooting 9-for-13 from the field. However, Phoenix's struggles continued as the team dropped its fourth consecutive game, falling to 26-29 on the season.
Paul, returning from injury, contributed 13 points, 10 assists, five rebounds, and two steals to help San Antonio secure its first win after the All-Star break. The Spurs, who entered the game on an emotional day after news broke that Victor Wembanyama would miss the remainder of the season due to a deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, improved to 24-29 with the victory.
The intensity between Durant and Paul highlighted the competitive nature of both players despite their recent separation as teammates. Durant, now leading the Suns alongside Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, has shouldered heavy expectations for Phoenix, while Paul has provided a steady presence for San Antonio in his return to the lineup.
Durant and Paul, both known for their competitive fire, showed their intensity in the matchup, adding to the game’s significance for both teams. Their exchange highlighted the passion that has defined their careers and underscored the stakes as Phoenix and San Antonio push through the second half of the season.
With the loss, the Suns remain outside the Western Conference playoff picture, intensifying pressure as they push for a late-season turnaround. Meanwhile, the Spurs, despite Wembanyama's absence, continue to show resilience as they look to stay competitive down the stretch.
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