Kevin Durant Takes Jab At Bruce Brown After Altercation in Rockets' Win vs. Nuggets

Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant said Denver Nuggets guard Bruce Brown needs to "learn how to talk and play" after the two were involved in an on-court altercation Saturday night.

Brown, who had a visibly heated exchange with Durant in the third quarter of the Nuggets' 115-101 loss, told reporters after the game his former Brooklyn Nets teammate had crossed a line with his comments.

"I definitely wanted to cross the line tonight," Durant said when asked about Brown's response (h/t DNVR). "That's basketball. That's in-between the lines. Ain't no respect, ain't no love, nothing. And people don't show love to me. They cross the line a lot with their physicality, you know what I'm saying? That's just part of the game. Some people can talk and play, some people can't.

"I had to learn how to talk and play, as a player. So, I think Bruce is probably learning the same thing."

The confrontation took place after the Rockets called a timeout following a two-pointer made by Brown.

When asked after the game if Durant had crossed a line during the altercation, Brown told reporters he wished fighting was allowed in the NBA without risk of fines.

"As a man, there's certain things you don't say to another man," Brown said.

Both Brown and Durant declined to tell reporters exactly what Durant had said in the exchange.

Durant, who led all players in the matchup with 31 points in 40 minutes on the court, said after the game he had enjoyed the intensity of the matchup.

"I enjoy it when we go back and forth. That's basketball," Durant said. "And a lot of people say that's missing from the game. When I do it, it's a problem."

Durant went on to say that his intensity in the game had to do with both the success of the Nuggets organization and of star center Nikola Jokić.

"I love it," Durant said. "I mean, you're coming in here, and playing with a championship organization, where arguably, in my opinion, one of the top ten players, five players that I've ever seen play basketball— that's how much respect I've got for these dudes, that I want to get up... bring that energy, bring that fight.

"It might go cross the line. But that's basketball, sometimes. So, Bruce will be alright."

Brown said after the Nuggets' loss he was looking forward to his next matchup with Durant. The Rockets are set to return to Denver and finish out the season series on March 11.