There was some debate as to how the Oklahoma City fans would respond to Kevin Durant in his first game back since signing with the Warriors. It was not the warmest of welcomes. For whatever cheers there were at Chesapeake Energy Arena, they were drowned out with a chorus of boos.
Hours before the game, reports began to circulate that many Thunder fans would be showing up to the game in “KowarD” shirts, making light of Durant’s “KD” nickname. It was a sign of things to come.
Durant expected the boos and even brought extra security with him for the trip. Durant spoke with ESPN in the days leading up to his OKC return about what he expected.
“I’m looking forward to playing in that atmosphere. I’ve always been on — I’m gonna say the other side of the fence — where a lot of people have clapped and cheered for me as I walked out onto the court. So to be on the other side, it’s going to be different, but it should be fun,” Durant told ESPN.
Here’s a look at fans booing Durant and the Warriors as they entered the floor: