There was a noticeable absence on the Team Durant side of the court during Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland. Nets superstar Kevin Durant was not at the festivities due to the passing of his grandmother.
Durant was going to be part of the halftime ceremony celebrating the NBA’s 75th anniversary. Wanda Durant, Kevin Durant’s mother, announced on her Instagram on Sunday afternoon that Barbara Davis had passed away earlier that morning.
“It’s with great sadness that we share with family and friends that our Dear Sweet Mama, Barbara A. Davis, transitioned early this morning. Words can not describe how our family feels doing this time. We want to thank everyone for their prayers, condolences, and well wishes. God is good and his peace comforts all of us,” Wanda Durant wrote on social media.
The NBA sent its condolences to Durant’s family in a statement on Instagram. “The NBA family mourns the loss of Barbara A. Davis,” the league wrote.
Durant is well known for his relationship with his family and called his mother the “Real MVP” during his 2014 NBA MVP Speech.
Durant, 33, was selected for his 12th All-Star Game. The former league MVP and two-time NBA Finals MVP is averaging 29.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.8 assists this season for the Nets.
He has been dealing with an MCL sprain since Jan. 15, when he was injured against the New Orleans Pelicans. Since then he has been working his way back and is expected to return to the Nets lineup sometime after the all-star break.
Durant was named captain of one of the teams in the NBA All-Star Game after he received the most all-star votes in the Eastern Conference.
Sunday’s festivities in Cleveland included a number of current and former players that were recognized at halftime, as the league honored 75 of the greatest players of all time.
