Kevin Durant doesn’t seem to hold any ill will towards Toronto Raptors fans.

Raptors fans famously cheered when Durant suffered an injury during Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Durant made his triumphant return after missing nine games with a calf strain, hoping to help the Golden State Warriors pull off a series comeback. 

Despite holding a comfortable series lead, you could sense a feeling of worry from the Raptors fan base as Durant put up 11 points in the first quarter. But early in the second quarter, everything changed.

Just two minutes into the second quarter and the Warriors up 39-34, Durant attempted to blow past Raptors forward Serge Ibaka before immediately falling to the ground and grabbing his Achilles. 

Durant seemed to know immediately that his injury was serious, and was visibly frustrated as he was being helped off the court.

Durant stayed rather quiet on the matter at the time, but opened up about it over half a decade later on the Unguarded podcast hosted by former Raptors guard Fred VanVleet. 

“People ask me all the time how I feel about them cheering and sh*t,” Durant said. “It’s supposed to go down like that. That’s how good I am. Them first four minutes, the first four shots that I hit, I guarantee you everybody on our bench, everybody in that arena was like, ‘Damn, this might go seven.'”

VanVleet, who spent seven seasons with the Raptors from 2016 to 2023, understood the reaction as well.

“It’s a sign of respect, ultimately,” VanVleet said. “It’s f*cked up in the moment, but it’s ultimately a sign of respect. Like, ‘alright, cool, we can breathe.’ Especially because you came out so hot.”

Kevin Durant on Raptors fans cheering when he tore his achilles

“It’s supposed to go down like that. That’s how good I am. That first 4 shots I hit I guarantee everybody in that arena was like damn this might go 7”

(h/t @NBA__Courtside)pic.twitter.com/9ywz5VRZDo


— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) December 17, 2025

 

The Raptors went on to win the series in six games, capturing their first NBA title in franchise history.

As for Durant, he’s come back strong since suffering that injury. The 35-year-old, who now plays for the Houston Rockets, is averaging 24.8 points along with 4.6 rebounds and 4 assists through 21 games this season.