“If I’m out there, I ain’t worried about it,” Kevin Durant said back in January, brushing off questions about a thumb injury on his left hand. But as it turns out, there was more to the story. This week, PaperCity’s Chris Baldwin revealed that Durant quietly underwent thumb surgery during the offseason — just weeks before he’s set to begin a high-stakes new chapter with the Houston Rockets.

The report raised immediate concern around Durant’s availability to start the 2025–26 season. However, Rockets fans can breathe easy: the procedure was described as minor, and team doctors reportedly gave it no serious consideration after reviewing the X-rays. The Rockets leadership “did not give it a second thought,” a source told PaperCity, implying full confidence in Durant’s readiness for training camp.

Kevin Durant first indicated sustaining a left thumb injury after a matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers in the early part of the year. Despite the injury, the player was given the green signal to play in the next game against the Timberwolves. He was seen donning a thumb brace during the game as a safety measure.

The player’s reaction to the injury was casual, as he revealed that “After one play, I just felt it after one play. I don’t know exactly what happened, but I think I just hit somebody. When I’m out there, I felt good tonight. Everything felt great tonight.” Well, he might have felt good then, but the ailment reappeared in a way that convinced Durant to undergo surgery.

Kevin Durant is set to be the next big centerpiece addition to the Rockets team, with the hopes that they soon transform into a serious championship contender under his leadership. GM Rafael Stone’s all-in move included Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in last month’s draft, and multiple second-rounders. A setback to Durant would’ve clouded the entire offseason. With the team having recently made the playoffs after a 4-year gap, the last thing the front office wanted was to go back to the old ways. Fortunately, that won’t be the case.

Just days before the surgery, KD seemed to be in high spirits, as he enjoyed some music and reunited with an old friend.

Kevin Durant’s injury was quite—his London weekend was not

For NBA fans, it’s not a secret just how good friends Kevin Durant and Drake are. From flying 2,213 Miles just to visit the Canadian Rapper at ‘The Embassy’, to defending him during the public Drake-Kendrick Lamar feud, Durant has been a ride-or-die level friend. Therefore, it wasn’t that big of a surprise when the NBA star came out to support Drake by flying to London.

Drake recently headlined all three days of London’s Wireless Festival at Finsbury Park over the weekend. The rapper certainly seemed to be in his element, as chants of “F— Kendrick” boomed during the 2nd day. Kevin Durant, who was also present amongst the attendees, was captured vibing to the rapper’s “No Face” track.

The song is special, as it name-drops Durant himself in the line “KD just text me, WTF are we waiting on, damn.” An X user and Hip-hop enthusiast named ‘AMIGHTEE’ later shared a clip of Durant and Drake dapping each other up during the ‘Wireless Festival’. He captioned the post as, “Almost forgot this is the whole point.”

Drake wasn’t the only old friend Durant reunited with at the music festival. Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker was also in attendance, marking the first time since the two NBA players were seen publicly together since Durant’s trade. The duo watched Drake’s performance together and even took a few pictures. Their true feelings at the reunion were unknown, as both Booker and Durant looked unimpressed in whatever pictures were captured of them together at the event.

A music festival in London, and then a surgery two days later. Durant’s offseason has certainly covered both ends of the spectrum. But with recovery now underway and team doctors unconcerned, all signs point to him being ready to lead Houston’s resurgence — just as planned.