Drake pulls up courtside and shares a moment with Kevin Durant during the Toronto Raptors vs Houston Rockets match

The Rockets vs Raptors game had its standout moment long before the final buzzer sounded. When Kevin Durant turned to glance at Drake, who was courtside, the atmosphere in the arena shifted.

It wasn’t about competition or tension, just two influential figures recognizing one another. Fans picked up on it immediately, and the video spread across the internet in minutes. For a few seconds, basketball and celebrity culture merged in the most organic manner.

Kevin Durant and Drake share a light moment courtside during a heated Rockets vs Raptors matchup

With the game heating up, Durant found himself at the free-throw line. Sitting just a few feet away in his iconic courtside seat was Drake, the Toronto native and dedicated Raptors fan.

They locked eyes, exchanged a few words, and broke into big smiles, a short but significant break in the heat of NBA action.This interaction was totally unscripted and real; just a natural moment between friends. The video showed Durant leaning in a little while Drake was gesturing excitedly, both clearly enjoying themselves even with the rivalry on the court.

In the end, the Rockets pulled off a 108-91 win, improving their record to 2-2 for the season and sending the Raptors down to 1-3.

Durant played well, contributing 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, which helped Houston keep the energy going from their recent 137-109 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, where he had 19 points and 6 rebounds with a shooting percentage of 42.9%.

Drake and Kevin Durant’s friendship grew stronger since their early NBA

The bond between Drake and Durant goes way back, created in the intersecting realms of hip-hop, basketball, and a strong mutual respect. People really started to notice their connection during the 2018-19 season when Durant, who was with the Golden State Warriors at the time, kept bumping into the Raptors as they headed to the NBA Finals.A standout moment happened on January 13, 2018, during an exciting game where the Warriors narrowly defeated Toronto 127-125. After the game, reporters were curious about Durant's thoughts on Drake's lively behavior courtside and the vibe he adds to the Raptors' home games. With a cheeky grin, Durant playfully teased his buddy, addressing the gathered media, "Don't give Drake that much credit.”He later added, “Do not give him that much credit. He's not the reason why it was fun out there.

He does bring a different element to the game, someone that's so close to the organization and the city. Everybody realizes it when you play here in Toronto. It was a fun game. The crowd is always amazing here. It was a solid turnout and I'm glad we got the W.".

The 2019 NBA Finals brought their story into the spotlight. As the Warriors went head-to-head with the Raptors in a challenging seven-game series (which Toronto clinched for their first championship), Drake's sideline remarks about Durant made headlines.From memes to moments when he was mic'd up, the rapper's playful trash talk added some spice, but Durant took it all in stride, later mentioning that this kind of fan energy is what makes playing in Toronto so special.Fast-forward to 2024, and their loyalty was evident during Drake's notable feud with Kendrick Lamar. As Lamar's diss track "Not Like Us" ruled the airwaves, Durant remained staunchly supportive of Drake.On April 15, 2024, he made his support known by posting the cover of Drake's Certified Lover Boy album on Instagram Stories, a subtle yet clear gesture of solidarity amidst the chaos of the rap battle.Their time spent off the court helps maintain their friendship as well. Just last month, in September 2025, Durant and ex-WNBA star Liz Cambage were seen together at a Drake concert in Toronto.The pictures ignited dating speculation, but Cambage swiftly dismissed those rumors in a statement on social media on October 2, 2025, setting the record straight for fans, "We're just friends enjoying the show nothing more."

Durant hasn't made any comments, but the sighting revealed that Drake's events frequently provide a neutral space for their circle.Durant's journey through teams like the Thunder, Warriors, Nets, Suns, and now the Rockets hasn't weakened their bond. In fact, it seems to make it even stronger, as Drake frequently gives a shoutout to KD's plays on social media, and Durant returns the favor.Also Read: “He wanted to be the top scorer” — Phil Jackson reveals how his relationship with Carmelo Anthony completely collapsed