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HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 29: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets speaks with the media during NBA Media Day at Toyota Center on September 29, 2025 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
After a tough stretch against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Houston Rockets had the opportunity to bounce back by snapping the Atlanta Hawks’ league-leading winning streak.
Kevin Durant and the Rockets dominated the Hawks with a 117-95 victory.
Following the game, Kevin Durant decided to send some indirect, yet clear shots at some of the Rockets’ loudest critics lately.
Following the game, the superstar forward met with reporters for a typical postgame press conference. Durant sat in his seat, and before anybody could get a question off, he asked his own series of questions to reporters.
“How was the body language tonight? Was it good?” Durant asked.
“How was the vibes? Good vibes?”
He looked down with a grin, knowing he got his message across.
Kevin Durant’s Cryptic Questions Leave NBA Fans Speculating
Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets, Kevin Durant Burner
GettyKevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets looks on in the second half while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on January 23, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan.
via Adam Wexler, Sportstalk 790: Clearly Kevin Durant @KDTrey5 was aware of @KendrickPerkins…observations. Here’s how he opened his postgame media session after they crushed the Hawks. 😂
“LMFAOOOO fried that bum,” said shaef__ on X.
“Put you on notice [Kendrick Perkins] 👀,” said TannerNichols0
“Love how he trolls the haters 😭😭” JasonHalljr2 added on X
“KD humble flexing after a blowout… love to see it🖤” said okayyyy37 on X
KD And The Rockets Accused Of Bad Vibes?
GettyWASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 02: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets reacts after a play against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on March 2, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Earlier in the week, the Road Trippin show discussed the state of the Rockets. One of the biggest talking points suggested that the Rockets might be better off without Kevin Durant.
“It’s disturbing to watch them play offense,” former NBA center Kendrick Perkins said.
“It’s a bunch of my-turn basketball. Low-IQ basketball. It got me wondering again, who is the leader of their locker room? I’m not trying to point the finger at Kevin Durant.”
Ex-NBA veteran Channing Frye took it a step further.
“You can see when things get tough, they’re like, ‘Man, you go do it,’” Frye said. “You go do it. That’s a bad chemistry sign that I see. They don’t pick each other up like that, unless things are going well. When things go bad, they’re like, ‘Alright, well, you do it. You take care of it.’”
Durant tends to be more aware of the media narrative than most. Following an impressive win, the forward wanted to redirect the narrative.
The Rockets aren’t as high in the Western Conference standings as they were one season ago, but fourth place with 42 wins is still a strong position to be in.
The Rockets have work to do, but that won’t stop Durant from defending himself from the negative outside narratives.