Reputed Suns Reporter Claims to Have Received Information on Kevin Durant Becoming a Father Amid Absence

NBA: Denver Nuggets at Houston Rockets - Source: Imagn
Reputed Suns Reporter Claims to Have Received Information on Kevin Durant Becoming a Father Amid Absence. [photo: Imagn]

NBA insider Shams Charania reported hours before Monday’s game between the Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns that Kevin Durant would not play. The game in Phoenix would have been Durant’s first game back in The Valley after the Suns traded him to the Rockets in the offseason. KD would also sit out Wednesday’s marquee matchup against the Golden State Warriors to tend to a “family matter.”

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Veteran Arizona sports radio host John Gambadoro, on the “Burns & Gambo” show, said on Monday:

“I’m not reporting this, but somebody said that he’s (Durant) having a baby, so I think that’s why he’s not playing. I don’t know for sure, but that’s what somebody told me. ‘Hey, I think he’s becoming a dad.’”
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Kevin Durant keeps his life outside basketball very private. Despite rumors, he has remained mum about his relationships. Only time will tell if Gambadoro's claim turns out true.

Before landing on the inactive list for Monday’s game against the Suns, Durant had not missed a game this season. He has averaged 24.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.0 steals per game. The former MVP has a 48.5% efficiency, including 36.4% from deep. Houston went 10-4 with him on the floor.

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Devin Booker was excited to face Kevin Durant

The Suns knew they would not face Kevin Durant in what might have been an interesting return by the former MVP to a familiar ground. Suns star Devin Booker replied when asked about Durant’s absence:

"I hope everything is okay with his family first, but yeah, I would love a matchup with him."
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Durant and Booker were teammates for nearly three seasons with the Suns. Team owner Mat Ishbia brought them together with Bradley Beal to contend for a championship. Instead, the Beal-Durant-Booker trio won just one playoff series.

The Suns reached the semifinals of the 2023 playoffs before losing to the eventual champion Denver Nuggets. Roughly a year later, they were dismissed in four games by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. The Suns broke up the core after the team failed to even make the playoffs in 2025.

Kevin Durant's next matchup with Devin Booker will have to wait following his absence on Monday.

Rockets Fan? Check out the latest Houston Rockets depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.

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Edited by Michael Macasero
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