Kevin Durant is undoubtedly one of the best players in the NBA today. This is exactly why opponents have consistently put a target on the Brooklyn Nets superstar’s back every time they face him on the basketball court. That was exactly the case for Philadelphia 76ers forward Georges Niang on Tuesday night.
Niang got very excited after scoring a difficult field goal on KD and the Sixers stud only had to give the case to Durant right after the bucket:
Georges Niang 🗣️ Kevin Durant#NBATwitterpic.twitter.com/j9uI1DcBGuhttps://t.co/zsYbhnuzDr
– ‘ (@_Talkin_NBA) November 23, 2022
Niang looked down at Durant as he returned to the other side of the floor, and the Sixers forward clearly had some words for KD. For his part, Durant was seen laughing at the incident as he seemed to pay no mind to Niang’s antics.
This mini-confrontation has NBA Twitter buzzing. Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell was one of the first to react to the trade, and much like the Cavs guard, the mean streets of Twitter were generally amused by the incident:
😂😂😂 talk yo sh! you @GeorgesNiang20
—Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) November 23, 2022
— 🏀 MY LIFE WITH NBA 🏀 (@Gutek_z_poligon) November 23, 2022
start with @KDTrey5 is not smart… He will take over
—Daniel (@nysports_10) November 23, 2022
NIANG SZN pic.twitter.com/hok7suOwQc
—ja 🇺🇸 (@whatajs) November 23, 2022
keep quiet with this man
— SPORTSPINZ (@SPORTSPINZ) November 23, 2022
It didn’t look like Durant had anything to say to Niang after the downcast look, but the smile on his face seemed like some kind of sly warning. KD is the guy who can take over a game at any time, and maybe Niang’s decision to mock him was just what Durant needed to get him excited.
KD and Co. entered Wednesday’s game on a two-game winning streak. They fully intend to take advantage of the Sixers being shorthanded as the Nets look to build on what they hope will be a recovery for them.
