Kevin Durant plays in Oklahoma City again after 20-year gap
The Rockets visit the Thunder on Friday, ending an eight-year hiatus for the former star who helped build the franchise's early culture.
By Daniel Rogers ·
Kevin Durant arrives in Oklahoma City on Friday to play his first game there in 20 years. The Houston Rockets face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 31, marking the first meeting between the two teams since Durant departed for Golden State in 2016.
Durant, now a 19-year veteran, spent eight seasons with the Thunder after being drafted second overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2007. He joined the franchise shortly after it relocated from Seattle, arriving in July 2008 at age 19. The team was in rebuilding mode during his first year, but it reached the NBA Finals in its fourth season in Oklahoma.
The 2012 Finals loss to the Miami Heat remains the only appearance that core made in the league's championship series. Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden, all future MVPs, subsequently left the organization. Durant won two consecutive championships with the Warriors after his 2016 trade.
The Thunder completed the feat the original core did not by winning the 2025 NBA championship. Durant said he felt pride watching the current roster succeed, viewing their victory as the evolution of the foundation laid by his former teammates.
In an interview with ESPN's David Seronick for the documentary 'The Oklahoma Standard,' Durant reflected on the unique bond between the team and the city. He noted that the Thunder were the only professional sports team in the area, creating a family atmosphere where fans stood during warmups and treated the games as a community event.
Durant recalled how general manager Sam Presti emphasized the importance of connecting with the local history, including visits to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. That connection helped players understand the weight of representing the state following the 1995 bombing.
He described the early team culture as disciplined and close-knit, with players traveling together and maintaining a unified presence. Durant said he felt a 'soft spot in my heart' for the state and remains grateful to be part of the franchise's history.
The Rockets and Thunder have not played since the 2015-16 season. Durant said he is looking forward to the matchup, acknowledging the difficulty of playing against former teammates while retaining his emotional connection to the organization.
Source: ESPN
