MACAO, CHINA - OCTOBER 8: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks and Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets talk during NBA Cares and Sands Cares Community Service Week Tipoff as part of 2026 NBA China Games on October 8, 2026 in Macao, China at Venetian Arena. (Photo by Ryan Stetz/NBAE via Getty Images)
MACAO, CHINA - OCTOBER 8: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks and Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets talk during NBA Cares and Sands Cares Community Service Week Tipoff as part of 2026 NBA China Games on October 8, 2026 in Macao, China at Venetian Arena. (Photo by Ryan Stetz/NBAE via Getty Images)
Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 135-117, in their first exhibition matchup at the NBA Global Games in China. The 38-year-old veteran Durant finished with 15 points, two assists, and one block, shooting 7-for-12 from the field (58.3% FG) and 1-for-1 from the three-point line (100% 3P).
During the game, the Rockets’ superstar received MVP chants from his Chinese fans in the first half. After the game, Kevin Durant told the media how it felt to receive such support from his fans before the regular season even began.
“It felt amazing. It felt incredible. I mean, sometimes back at home, we play so many games in front of the same people; sometimes they take us for granted a little bit.”
“When you come out here, and you get the appreciation and respect that you’ve earned as players who make it this far, it’s pretty cool, man,” Kevin Durant explained.
“They don’t get away from the excitement that they have around sports. They’re not shy to express that, and I love that. That’s who we truly are, in our souls: real fans of the game. So to see them express that is incredible,” he further added.
This was expected to be a key matchup between Kevin Durant and his former teammate, Kyrie Irving. But Irving sat out this game and is expected to play in Sunday’s rematch as he returns to NBA action after being sidelined for over a year.
Kevin Durant spoke about his conversations with Irving during his time off the court and what it would be like to see him potentially on Sunday.
“I haven’t talked to Kai about his rehab. I spoke to him the other day; it’s been about 18 to 19 months since he last played an NBA game. I don’t know about the exact number, but just being around Kai, his work ethic is second to none.”
“His approach to the game mentally is second to none. He’s just a savant. When you think about basketball, you think about him. I’m looking forward to seeing him back on the floor,” Kevin Durant said.
“I know him as a human being, and I know he’s a little anxious, but I wouldn’t say nervous to get back out there, just to get in the flow of things. I’m excited for him, man, so happy that he’s back and healthy.”
“I’m happy that Fred is healthy, Steve is healthy; you don’t want to see anybody in our game be away from the game that long, especially those who love it as much as these three. So I can’t wait to see him out there in the next game,” Durant concluded.
Kevin Durant really respects what Kyrie Irving brings to the court, so much that he claimed the only thing he would add from another player to his own bag is Kyrie Irving’s ball-handling skills. Clearly, game recognizes game.
Unfortunately, while Kyrie Irving will be back in action on Sunday, Ime Udoka confirmed that Kevin Durant won’t play. Therefore, NBA fans will have to wait a little longer to see Durant and Irving on the floor at the same time.
But hopefully not for long, since the Rockets will open their season with a trip to Dallas, where they face the Mavericks on October 21. It will be very exciting to see these two NBA icons compete on the floor after so long.