Calls Mount for Kevin Durant Suspension Following Suns-Pelicans

In a moment of frustration Friday night, Phoenix Suns power forward Kevin Durant lost his cool and did something many fans believe was out of character for the 15-time NBA All-Star.

In Friday’s 125-108 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, Durant, who scored 17 points, six, assists, three steals and two rebounds, came under fire after throwing a subtle punch at Pelicans rookie Karlo Matovic.

The incident happened late in the first quarter as Matovic set up a screen on Durant just beyond the arc. As Pelicans shooting guard Trey Murphy III side-stepped Durant to his left, Suns enter Mason Plumlee gave Matovic a gentle shove into Durant’s way, prompting the two-time NBA champion to punch the rookie center in the hip.

Things happened so quickly that referees didn’t clock what happened and no foul was called on Durant, though he and Matovic did exchange words after the play ended.