NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
• Subscribe to NBA League Pass NOW
Last weekend, Kevin Durant made his return to the Bay Area, and now he’s heading back to his academic roots.
The heartfelt nostalgia for Phoenix’s All-Star forward continues on Thursday as Durant and the Suns face off against the San Antonio Spurs in Austin, Texas. This match serves as a home game for the Spurs (9:30 p.m. ET, TNT) and a meaningful return for Durant, recalling his brief college career with the Longhorns.
“It means a lot to me,” Durant expressed. “I’m thrilled that we have the chance to play a regular-season game there. Austin is where my journey began, and it’s wonderful to see so many friends and family members I’ve known for almost 16 or 17 years. I’m grateful to the NBA for organizing this. It’s truly a special moment.”
Hook ’em 🤘pic.twitter.com/bLckZa443j
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns)February 19, 2025
Durant spent just one year in Austin during the 2006-07 season, yet he stood out as the best player in college basketball, averaging 25.8 points and 11.1 rebounds. He ended the season ranked fourth nationally in both categories, earning player of the year honors from The Associated Press among other prestigious accolades.
After that standout season, he entered the NBA Draft and was picked second overall by Seattle in 2007, leading to a remarkable career filled with achievements. Durant is the only men’s player in the history of USA Basketball to capture four Olympic gold medals, he secured two championships with Golden State, and recently became the eighth player in NBA history to surpass 30,000 career points.
Rodney Terry, the head coach of Texas, remarked, “This is a fantastic opportunity for Durant and for the Austin community to rally around one of our outstanding players who remains in his prime. He has over 30,000 career points, and he ranks among the all-time greatest scorers both in college and professional basketball. To return to where he played in college and take on one of the premier organizations like the Spurs is an ideal scenario.”
This marks the third straight season the Spurs have held two home games in Austin, located about 75 miles northeast of San Antonio. The Spurs view Austin as part of a larger mega-region they’ve been nurturing for some time, extending even into Mexico. Host games in Austin also help alleviate their annual road trip due to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, which typically keeps the team away from home for much of February.
Additionally, the Spurs will compete in Austin against Detroit on Friday. The Suns arrived in the city on Tuesday, and one of Durant’s first activities was visiting the Longhorns’ practice facilities.
“I plan to explore the city a bit,” Durant said last weekend when asked about his plans in Austin. “I don’t have a fixed agenda, but there are definitely a few places I want to check out.”
Austin is predominantly a Spurs territory, with the team’s G League affiliate located there, and many fans at the Moody Center this Thursday and Friday will likely don Victor Wembanyama jerseys. However, a significant presence of Texas jerseys and Durant merchandise is expected in the crowd on Thursday for good reason.
Terry commented, “Having him return and be with us, interacting with our players this week—it’s just an amazing experience. For many of our guys, Kevin Durant is their favorite player. His influence is a big reason they chose to come to Texas, and his impact resonates not just within our basketball program but throughout our entire athletics department. He’s a remarkable ambassador for Texas athletics.”
