Suns forward Kevin Durant and coach Mike Budenholzer both downplayed the testy exchange they had early in Tuesday’s win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

“That’s what happens when you don’t know the dynamics of the relationship,” Durant said postgame. “You catch something on TV and you get a quote and then you’re pushing that narrative as if me and Bud don’t do that (expletive) all the time. We’re competitive as two individuals who want to see things done the right way.

“And sometimes my way ain’t the way that Bud wants to do it and vice versa and he allows me as a player on the team, a veteran on the team to voice my opinion. If we both didn’t care, we’d never have stuff like that.”

TNT cameras showed Durant visibly upset with Budenholzer in the first quarter of the win. During a timeout when the Suns coach tried to talk to the superstar, Durant yanked Budenholzer’s arm away and blew right by the coach before turning back to say something.

Kevin Durant and Mike Budenholzer exchange words. 👀

pic.twitter.com/fLoPAzA25r

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 5, 2025

TNT sideline reporter Stephanie Ready said the pair had a discussion during the timeout that stemmed from some “miscommunication” in an offensive set.

“I’m glad that the win is going to sweep all that stupid stuff under the rug because people couldn’t wait, even some people in Phoenix in here couldn’t wait to run with that and say this is the reason the team ain’t playing well because that specific thing,” Durant added.

“But c’mon man, that shows me and Bud really care about trying to right this ship and trying to win basketball games. So he understands where I’m coming from, I understand exactly where he’s coming from. It’s just the people on the outside don’t know the dynamics of the relationship so in order for them to get some attention they’re going to run stuff like that.

Durant played 41 minutes and finished with 34 points on 10-for-22 shooting, seven rebounds, four assists, a steal and two blocks. He had 19 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter.

“He and I are like old friends whenever we’re on the spot grabbing and talking to each other,” Budenholzer said after the game. “I thought his energy and his voice tonight was great. I think there was some kind of play, offensive play, he wanted something, I wanted something and that’s the beauty of basketball.

Budenholzer said Durant’s feedback ended up being a big part of the comeback.

A video from NBC 12’s Cameron Cox later showed Durant tapping Budenholzer to talk things out when players were returning to the court after the same timeout.

🚨MUST SEE🚨Here’s the FULL VIDEO exchange with Kevin Durant and Mike Budenholzer…

Bud grabs KD arm.. KD pulls it away… what the broadcast DID NOT show you — after the TV timeout, our camera caught KD tapping Bud to talk. @12SportsAZ pic.twitter.com/9tyWmcm1G1

— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) March 5, 2025

“I wish they’d cut to that and slow-mo that when me and him are trying to come to a solution together and we’re smiling on the bench and tapping each other on the chest and slapping hands hard,” Durant added.

“I wish they would post that on Instagram and Twitter and say, ‘Wow, this is leadership right here.’ But when we do that other (expletive), that gets attention and that’s just the nature of the world we’re in. That’s the nature of content and the NBA in general, so it’s frustrating when you see (expletive) like that.

“And you see the reaction to it, but I know deep down what it is between Bud and I, and he knows it too, and this ain’t the first time we got into it, not even got into it but had a quick disagreement and moved right on right after the last play. So it’s not gonna be the last either. And Bud knows that, and he knows and respects how much I care, and I respect how much he cares.”

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