As you might expect when Kevin Durant returns to Oklahoma City, things got chippy at several moments Wednesday.
Once during the second quarter and again in the third quarter, Durant and former running mate Russell Westbrook could be seen yapping at each other. During the latter incident, the two literally went nose-to-nose, touching foreheads before being sperated.
After the Warriors' 108-91 loss to the Thunder, Durant was asked about the exchanges.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
"Man, that's just ball. That's just ball me. He's competitive, I'm competitive. We like to go at it. Both of us. That's just part of the game, so I respect it. I got nothing but love for him. I'm expecting it again when we play them again. All fun and games to me," Durant told reporters.
Despite what the cameras caught, Durant tried to downplay the level of emotions between the two teams on the court.
"Can't let emotion seep into business. Can't do that. So I think on our end, we were just playing our game. They just played better than us tonight. The emotion around the court, around the arena, around the city I'm sure was a little higher than it was on the court. can't let emotion seep in. Just have to play better than that," Durant said.
When a reporter kept pressing about the incidents between Durant and Westbrook, the Warriors forward pushed back.
Golden State Warriors
"Did you watch the game? Or did you watch for the scuffles? The story is about the game. We lost, they kicked our a**, they played a great. You should give them credit for how they played. We should be better. It's not about who's in each other's faces. That stuff is not real. So please, don't believe it. All the fans, they are lying to you. It's all about basketball. They played a great game. We didn't," Durant retorted.
So how did returning to his former home for the first time this season compare to his first trip back last year?
"It was a little better. Nothing like the first. I'm sure everyone in the arena said what they had to say," Durant said.
The next two times Durant and Westbrook meet up, it will be in Oakland (Feb.6 and Feb. 24). The Warriors don't return to Oklahoma City until April 3, 2018.