Basketball fans got treated to a couple of entertaining games over the weekend. Overtime against Miami and then this performance by the Raptors that was one of the team’s best all year. The crowd had a lot of pop all night and Durant noticed. “I love Canada. I love Toronto. Has always been nothing but love and respect here. They appreciate the game of basketball to its core,” Durant said. “They appreciate my journey as a player, so I always have fun coming here. Crowd is always on its feet all game. So they love basketball here so I enjoy coming up here.”
Source: Toronto Sun
Source: Toronto Sun
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
Caught up with Scottie Barnes after he helped hold Kevin Durant to 15 points on 5/15 shooting in a Raptors win. Barnes said he sees himself as a playmaker on that end ‘like Draymond’ and believes he is “one of the best defenders in the league” — sportsnet.ca/nba/article/ra… – 8:48 AM
Caught up with Scottie Barnes after he helped hold Kevin Durant to 15 points on 5/15 shooting in a Raptors win. Barnes said he sees himself as a playmaker on that end ‘like Draymond’ and believes he is “one of the best defenders in the league” — sportsnet.ca/nba/article/ra… – 8:48 AM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
“I just think I’m a natural star defender” — Scottie Barnes led the Raptors defensive effort against Kevin Durant and the Suns and believes there’s more where that came from, for @Sportsnet sportsnet.ca/nba/article/bo… – 12:18 AM
“I just think I’m a natural star defender” — Scottie Barnes led the Raptors defensive effort against Kevin Durant and the Suns and believes there’s more where that came from, for @Sportsnet sportsnet.ca/nba/article/bo… – 12:18 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“I got to come with it if I want us to win. If we want us to win, I’ve got to come better than what I did tonight.”
Kevin Durant after 15-point effort on 5-of-15 FGs in Suns loss to Raptors. #Suns pic.x.com/t9DCCrE35k – 11:06 PM
“I got to come with it if I want us to win. If we want us to win, I’ve got to come better than what I did tonight.”
Kevin Durant after 15-point effort on 5-of-15 FGs in Suns loss to Raptors. #Suns pic.x.com/t9DCCrE35k – 11:06 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“Our game plan was to lock up the paint and make them shoot over us in the paint. We did that and the countered us with knocking down 3s.”
Kevin Durant as Raptors came into the game fifth in the NBA in points in the paint at 53.1.
Toronto scored 38 paint points Sunday on pic.x.com/Q9jhJw871h – 11:02 PM
“Our game plan was to lock up the paint and make them shoot over us in the paint. We did that and the countered us with knocking down 3s.”
Kevin Durant as Raptors came into the game fifth in the NBA in points in the paint at 53.1.
Toronto scored 38 paint points Sunday on pic.x.com/Q9jhJw871h – 11:02 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“We’ve just got to keep staying together.”
Mike Budenholzer after Suns fall, 127-109, to Toronto on Sunday in 2nd of back-to-back.
On his tech in reaction to Kevin Durant non-call: “Just got blatantly fouled. Got raked across his arm. That’s not a very difficult call.” #Suns pic.x.com/cyWacCrMVj – 10:36 PM
“We’ve just got to keep staying together.”
Mike Budenholzer after Suns fall, 127-109, to Toronto on Sunday in 2nd of back-to-back.
On his tech in reaction to Kevin Durant non-call: “Just got blatantly fouled. Got raked across his arm. That’s not a very difficult call.” #Suns pic.x.com/cyWacCrMVj – 10:36 PM
Tom Petrini @RealTomPetrini
When the Spurs were in Austin I got to ask Mitch Johnson about building chemistry while staggering Fox and CP3, even more important with Wemby out.
Full episode of @SlvrBlkCoffeeHr including questions with Mitch, Keldon, CP3, Fox, and KD: youtu.be/p4TWhiCSV3M?si… pic.x.com/Y2VFM07emR – 9:58 PM
When the Spurs were in Austin I got to ask Mitch Johnson about building chemistry while staggering Fox and CP3, even more important with Wemby out.
Full episode of @SlvrBlkCoffeeHr including questions with Mitch, Keldon, CP3, Fox, and KD: youtu.be/p4TWhiCSV3M?si… pic.x.com/Y2VFM07emR – 9:58 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Final: TOR 127, PHX 109
Booker: 31 Pts, 8 Ast, 4 Reb, 12-25 FG, 3-8 3P
Beal: 30 Pts, 4 Reb, 12-15 FG
Durant: 15-4-4-3, 5-15 FG
Quickley: 23 Pts, 8 Ast, 6 Reb, 7-15 FG
Raptors closed on a 22-6 run over last 5 minutes – 8:28 PM
Final: TOR 127, PHX 109
Booker: 31 Pts, 8 Ast, 4 Reb, 12-25 FG, 3-8 3P
Beal: 30 Pts, 4 Reb, 12-15 FG
Durant: 15-4-4-3, 5-15 FG
Quickley: 23 Pts, 8 Ast, 6 Reb, 7-15 FG
Raptors closed on a 22-6 run over last 5 minutes – 8:28 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Quickley gets switch, scores on Allen.
Budenholzer ran nearly to halfcourt to argue what he felt was a non-call on Durant.
Called for tech. Suns back down double digits, 100-89, with 9:06 left in the game. #Suns – 8:06 PM
Quickley gets switch, scores on Allen.
Budenholzer ran nearly to halfcourt to argue what he felt was a non-call on Durant.
Called for tech. Suns back down double digits, 100-89, with 9:06 left in the game. #Suns – 8:06 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Dunn checks back into the game with 13.4 seconds left.
Suns get defensive stop, Durant missed 3 to end 3rd.’
Down 88-82. Suns allowed just 21 points in the 3rd. #Suns – 7:57 PM
Dunn checks back into the game with 13.4 seconds left.
Suns get defensive stop, Durant missed 3 to end 3rd.’
Down 88-82. Suns allowed just 21 points in the 3rd. #Suns – 7:57 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 3Q: TOR 88, PHX 82
Booker: 23 Pts, 7 Ast, 9-19 FG
Beal: 22 Pts, 9-12 FG
Durant: 13 Pts, 4 Reb, 3 Ast, 3 Stl, 5-13 FG
Boucher: 14 Pts, 5 Reb, 6-7 FG
Suns scored 5 points over the last 4:30. Fortunately, the Raptors only scored 7 – 7:56 PM
End of 3Q: TOR 88, PHX 82
Booker: 23 Pts, 7 Ast, 9-19 FG
Beal: 22 Pts, 9-12 FG
Durant: 13 Pts, 4 Reb, 3 Ast, 3 Stl, 5-13 FG
Boucher: 14 Pts, 5 Reb, 6-7 FG
Suns scored 5 points over the last 4:30. Fortunately, the Raptors only scored 7 – 7:56 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Booker was on the outskirts of the Suns coaches huddle during the timeout.
Suns down eight with 35.3 seconds left.
Booker back in with Allen, Beal, Durant and Plumlee. #Suns – 7:53 PM
Booker was on the outskirts of the Suns coaches huddle during the timeout.
Suns down eight with 35.3 seconds left.
Booker back in with Allen, Beal, Durant and Plumlee. #Suns – 7:53 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Good double contest by Richards and Durant on Barrett at the rim. The first real signs of life defensively. And they are just doing the thing on the other end when they don’t miss. Five-point game. – 7:39 PM
Good double contest by Richards and Durant on Barrett at the rim. The first real signs of life defensively. And they are just doing the thing on the other end when they don’t miss. Five-point game. – 7:39 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Court of Gold had good stuff in it (especially basically anything that involved Kevin Durant) but it was too long and imo this needed to happen 10 years later, when we’ll have real perspective on what this tournament meant in the grand scheme of global basketball history. – 7:24 PM
Court of Gold had good stuff in it (especially basically anything that involved Kevin Durant) but it was too long and imo this needed to happen 10 years later, when we’ll have real perspective on what this tournament meant in the grand scheme of global basketball history. – 7:24 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Lot of attention on the offensive end, and while I agree KD needs more touches, role players missing shots, not enough 3s, etc., idk how you watch the Suns play and go straight to the offense. The defense is what’s absolutely horrendous – 7:24 PM
Lot of attention on the offensive end, and while I agree KD needs more touches, role players missing shots, not enough 3s, etc., idk how you watch the Suns play and go straight to the offense. The defense is what’s absolutely horrendous – 7:24 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Halftime: TOR 67, PHX 52
Beal: 18 Pts, 7-9 FG
Booker: 11 Pts, 3 Ast, 2 Stl, 5-11 FG
Durant: 10 Pts, 4-7 FG
Richards: 8 Pts, 5 Reb
Boucher: 14 Pts, 5 Reb, 6-7 FG
Raptors up 14-3 in fast break points and are +24 in points off 3s – 7:10 PM
Halftime: TOR 67, PHX 52
Beal: 18 Pts, 7-9 FG
Booker: 11 Pts, 3 Ast, 2 Stl, 5-11 FG
Durant: 10 Pts, 4-7 FG
Richards: 8 Pts, 5 Reb
Boucher: 14 Pts, 5 Reb, 6-7 FG
Raptors up 14-3 in fast break points and are +24 in points off 3s – 7:10 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Again, Mike Budenholzer stressed the importance of transition defense.
Raptors up 62-49 as Durant was called for technical foul after drawing foul on shot. #Suns – 7:05 PM
Again, Mike Budenholzer stressed the importance of transition defense.
Raptors up 62-49 as Durant was called for technical foul after drawing foul on shot. #Suns – 7:05 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Should probably keep feeding that dude. Letting KD initiate some offense might be the way to go here with the way the Raptors are denying him/Suns are relegating him to the corner – 6:53 PM
Should probably keep feeding that dude. Letting KD initiate some offense might be the way to go here with the way the Raptors are denying him/Suns are relegating him to the corner – 6:53 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant to the rim, fouled, bucket.
Misses FT. Suns down 45-41 midway through 2nd quarter. #Suns – 6:52 PM
Durant to the rim, fouled, bucket.
Misses FT. Suns down 45-41 midway through 2nd quarter. #Suns – 6:52 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 1Q: TOR 29, PHX 25
Booker: 11 Pts, 3 Reb, 5-7 FG
Beal: 5 Pts, 2-3 FG
Durant: 4 Pts, 2-3 FG
Dick: 9 Pts, 3-4 3P – 6:40 PM
End of 1Q: TOR 29, PHX 25
Booker: 11 Pts, 3 Reb, 5-7 FG
Beal: 5 Pts, 2-3 FG
Durant: 4 Pts, 2-3 FG
Dick: 9 Pts, 3-4 3P – 6:40 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Scottie Barnes is a great defender and he’s stuck on KD like glue, but the Suns have to make more of an effort to get him the ball. They struggled with their entry passes to him in the mid-post last game – 6:21 PM
Scottie Barnes is a great defender and he’s stuck on KD like glue, but the Suns have to make more of an effort to get him the ball. They struggled with their entry passes to him in the mid-post last game – 6:21 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Barnes on Durant will test the Suns’ ability to get him the ball. Turnovers in droves on the passes to him when he’s sealing and the first action for KD saw the Suns not pass it. KD then brings it up and takes an 18-footer. Might need to be more of that. – 6:18 PM
Barnes on Durant will test the Suns’ ability to get him the ball. Turnovers in droves on the passes to him when he’s sealing and the first action for KD saw the Suns not pass it. KD then brings it up and takes an 18-footer. Might need to be more of that. – 6:18 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Suns starting lineup at Raptors:
Bradley Beal
Devin Booker
Royce O’Neale
Kevin Durant
Nick Richards #Suns pic.x.com/vegBnMLsHX – 5:32 PM
Suns starting lineup at Raptors:
Bradley Beal
Devin Booker
Royce O’Neale
Kevin Durant
Nick Richards #Suns pic.x.com/vegBnMLsHX – 5:32 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“It’s been phenomenal.”
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer on coaching Kevin Durant after coaching against him for years.
On Suns (27-29) current state: “We have to be honest with where we are. We’ve got work to do, that’s kind of what we’ve been saying the last few days and coming pic.x.com/s3onVCkoPj – 5:04 PM
“It’s been phenomenal.”
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer on coaching Kevin Durant after coaching against him for years.
On Suns (27-29) current state: “We have to be honest with where we are. We’ve got work to do, that’s kind of what we’ve been saying the last few days and coming pic.x.com/s3onVCkoPj – 5:04 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
They’re wild on Instagram.
Franklin Yi posted video recasting the classic ‘Stanford and Son’ with LeBron James calling in sick for #NBAAllStar2025 game with his son Bronny James and Kevin Durant as the doctor.
This is crazy. #Suns #LakeShow
instagram.com/reel/DGV_nBKSp… – 9:03 AM
They’re wild on Instagram.
Franklin Yi posted video recasting the classic ‘Stanford and Son’ with LeBron James calling in sick for #NBAAllStar2025 game with his son Bronny James and Kevin Durant as the doctor.
This is crazy. #Suns #LakeShow
instagram.com/reel/DGV_nBKSp… – 9:03 AM
Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
Kevin Durant has tied one-time DPOY Marc Gasol in blocks for No. 60 all-time. – 5:35 AM
Kevin Durant has tied one-time DPOY Marc Gasol in blocks for No. 60 all-time. – 5:35 AM
More on this storyline
Kevin Durant had an uncharacteristically quiet night in Toronto, finishing with just 15 points and four rebounds. After the game, he acknowledged the Suns’ struggles, pointing to their inability to contain opposing teams’ scoring runs as a key issue. “We had these little spurs where each team would go off and go on a flurry on us, and that’s usually the game. Going on a 12-0 run or 19-5 runs,” Durant said. “We’re playing good ball, and then to give up a run like that. It’s tough to fight back when teams score that many points in a row.” -via BasketNews / February 24, 2025
K.C. Johnson: Kevin Durant on Matas Buzelis: “I like Matas. I liked him when he was with G League Ignite. He’s long, athletic, can shoot it. He’s definitely going to have some bumps and bruises as he gets through his first few years in the league trying to figure things out.” -via Twitter @KCJHoop / February 22, 2025