Once upon a time, Thunder fans imagined that forward Kevin Durant would be in the building on the night they raised a championshp banner.
He was indeed—as a member of the other team. On the night Oklahoma City celebrated its 2025 NBA championship, Durant suited up for the Rockets, scored 23 points, and [gamely took the same boos](https://www.si.com/nba/kevin-durant-playfully-reciprocated-thunder-fans-boos-during-return-okc) he's been subject to since his 2016 departure.
After the game, Durant assessed the meaning of the boos as he added a fourth non-Thunder team to his _Basketball Reference_ page.
"Walking onto the court, at the hotel, walking around town, every time I come here, it's just so much love and respect," Durant said via [Michael Shapiro of the _Houston Chronicle_](https://x.com/mshap2/status/1980842426739654825). "People always telling me they appreciate my time here... and I feel the same way."
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Durant seems traditionally to save a little something extra for his old squad: his 30.7 point-per-game career average against Oklahoma CIty is higher than his average against any other opponent.
The love-hate relationship between Durant and Thunder fans seems to make it worth it.
“It's part of the brand of OKC to boo me when my name gets introduced, but I think it's all love after that," Durant said.