There is "No Beef" Between Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook downplay past beef leading into the Phoenix Suns-Los Angeles Clippers first-round playoff series.

A big storyline going into the Phoenix Suns' first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers is the battle between Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Durant and Westbrook played as teammates with the Oklahoma City Thunder for eight years, becoming one of the most lethal duos of that era. That was all until Durant departed from the Thunder to play for the Golden State Warriors, leaving Westbrook in the dark.

The first few times the two played against one another as opponents there was clearly some animosity as they were seen trash talking each other on many occasions including a game between the Thunder and Warriors on November 22, 2017 where they jawed face-to-face.

However, this was all years ago, and the so-called beef has subsided.

"It'll be normal for me. I think people still think there's some beef or something. There's no beef," Westbrook told reporters. "I got nothing but respect for him and things he's done with his career. Happy to see him back from injury."

"There's no beef. I got nothing but respect for him and things he's done with his career."

Russ on facing KD in Round 1 💯

(via @TomerAzarly, @ClutchPointsApp) pic.twitter.com/bcWaUEJyxH

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 12, 2023

Durant also had nothing but good words to talk about his former teammate praising his competitive nature.

“I think Russ is competitive against any player he plays against. I don’t think it was just specific to me,” Durant said via Arizona Republic's Duane Rankin. “Russ is that way. I've played with for so long and watched him for so long that he was that way against everybody so I don't expect anything different.”

"I think Russ is competitive against whoever he plays against."

Kevin Durant on facing Russell Westbrook in the playoffs. #Suns #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/lDpcdJSp1q

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 12, 2023

This will mark the first time Durant and Westbrook face off against each other in the postseason. It will be a legacy defining series and playoffs for the two former MVPs as both of them have a lot at stake.

All eyes will be glued to this individual player matchup potentially being the most intriguing storyline of the first round. It's been years since Durant departed from Westbrook yet the topic of their divorce and playing years together seems to still always be brought up.

There will finally be some closure to this Durant and Westbrook breakup in the conclusion of this first round series starting on Sunday.