Suns’ Kevin Durant Will Have Homecoming This Season With Strange Schedule Quirk

Each season in the NBA, there are always fun moments that come from the schedule. It could be a player returning to an old team or a highly-anticipated matchup being played.

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This season in the NBA, Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant will be the benefactor of a strange quirk in the NBA schedule. Durant will return to Austin, Texas in Feb. when the Suns take on the San Antonio Spurs.

San Antonio will be hosting their third annual I-35 Series at the Moody Center in Austin on the campus of the University of Texas. Durant went to Texas for his lone year in college basketball so it will be a homecoming for the 14-time All-Star.

“The Spurs return to Austin for their third annual I-35 Series, presented by Alienware and Netspend, and will play two back-to-back home games at the Moody Center during the Rodeo Road Trip for the first time in team history. The I-35 Series will tip-off when the Spurs host the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 8:30 p.m.”

Durant was the true definition of a star while he was at Texas, helping the Longhorns grab a record of 25-10 overall. Texas made the NCAA Tournament but was bounced out in the second round by the USC Trojans.

He averaged 25.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.3 points for the Longhorns in his only season. For his incredible play all year, Durant was named the National College Player of the Year, the Big 12 Player of the Year, the USBWA National Freshman of the Year, and was a consensus First-Team All-American.

Durant had his No. 35 jersey retired by the Longhorns as well, making his return even more special. He ended up being drafted second overall by the Seattle Sonics in the 2007 NBA Draft after declaring.

The Suns playing the Spurs in Austin should yield some strong basketball as the Spurs should be much more competitive this year. With second-year sensation Victor Wembanyama developing more, San Antonio has the feeling of a team ready to contend for the postseason.

Veteran point guard Chris Paul is also on the Spurs, giving the team more credibility entering the season. Phoenix will be looking to right the ship after being swept out of the first round of the postseason last year.

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This game in Austin will likely gain strong viewership for the NBA as well, making it an intriguing matchup to watch for the season.