OKLAHOMA CITY _ The boos still filled Kevin Durant's eardrums during lineup introductions and anytime he touched the ball. During the rare moments that they talked, Durant and Russell Westbrook talked trash and even butted heads.
More than a year has passed since Durant left the Thunder for the Warriors so he could eventually win the 2017 NBA title. The hostility has still remained. And unfortunately for the Warriors in his second appearance here against his former team, Durant did not have enough to silence the fans that once cheered for him.
The Warriors suffered a 108-91 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday for the same reasons that have yielded inconsistency even through nine wins in the past 11 games.
After the Thunder (8-9) initially went through chemistry issues with its bolstered lineup, Westbrook (34 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists), Carmelo Anthony (22 points) and Paul George (20 points) found the perfect opponent to find the right formula.
The Warriors (13-5) constantly sparked whistles against them, collecting fouls that put Durant and Draymond Green in early foul trouble. Durant missed the last 4:41 of the first quarter after picking up his second.
Even if the Warriors still had Stephen Curry (24 points) and Durant (21) offer double-digit efforts, the Warriors' well-oiled offensive machine still malfunctioned as the duo combined for 10 turnovers. The Warriors shot 41.3 percent from the field and logged as many assists as turnovers (22). Klay Thompson (nine points on 3-of-12 shooting) and Green (four points on 1-of-6 shooting) had poor shooting nights.
Finally, Durant did not have enough answers, as he did his first return here when he posted 34 points, nine rebounds and three assists. For someone who said he has become more "at peace" this season after winning an NBA championship and a Finals MVP, Durant appeared more at edge.
The tension between Durant and Westbrook first spilled out after Westbrook drew a foul on Green as the Thunder led 56-44 with 1:42 left in the second quarter. Then, Durant and Westbrook exchanged words that did not suggest they were catching up on each other's offseason.
Durant and Westbrook then started boiling when Westbrook unsuccessfully tried to force a turnover as the Warriors trailed, 73-56, with 6:47 left in the third quarter. Durant and Westbrook barked at each other as they got in each other's face. They then butted heads, causing officials to intervene and call double technical. The talk continued after they were separated.
The exchanges captured the hostility Durant still received. A handful of Warriors fans filled the arena. One Warriors fan held up a sign that said "KD and I love cupcakes with rings!" But even if Durant's second appearance here since his departure lacked the same fireworks as the original, Durant still sparked boos when he touched the ball.
While the Thunder fed off of that environment, the Warriors became increasingly frustrated. Warriors coach Steve Kerr picked up a technical foul with 5:59 left in the third quarter amid frustration with officials not calling Thunder forward Andre Roberson for carrying. Green collected another technical almost a minute later after he was called for his fourth foul. By that point, the Warriors' trailed, 79-61, and did not come close toward chipping away at the deficit.
