Kevin Durant became the focus of intense social media speculation after the Houston Rockets’ tight 115-113 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night. The spotlight was not only on Durant’s missed free throws in the closing moments but also on an alleged Instagram incident involving his Rockets teammate Jabari Smith Jr., revolving around claims of Durant unfollowing Smith on the platform.
Jabari Smith Jr. endured a difficult outing against the Warriors, spending 42 minutes on the court but failing to convert any shots in eight attempts and being charged with five turnovers. Following the Rockets’ defeat, a viral post surfaced, alleging that Durant had unfollowed Smith on Instagram in response to Smith’s poor performance, which quickly attracted considerable attention online.
“Kevin Durant unfollowed Jabari Smith Jr. on Instagram after losing to the Warriors 😭,” an account reported.
Despite widespread sharing of this claim, the story proved to be unfounded. The source of the rumor, the parody Instagram account @HaterReport, is known for posting exaggerated or fabricated content to provoke reactions. Verification confirmed that Durant and Smith continue to follow each other on Instagram, disproving the rumor.
Durant ended the game with a 23-point contribution, marking the end of his recent three-game streak scoring over 30 points.
Controversy Around Alleged Burner Account Criticism of Jabari Smith Jr.
Earlier during the NBA All-Star Weekend, Kevin Durant found himself embroiled in controversy when an alleged burner account on X named @gethigher77 surfaced, posting provocative messages thought to be from Durant. The account shared numerous comments alluding to Durant’s frustrations with teammates, coaches, and other team-related matters.
One particularly inflammatory post appeared to target Jabari Smith Jr., with remarks expressing a lack of trust in Smith’s shooting or defensive capabilities.
“I can’t trust Jabari to make a f**kin shot or get a stop,” the message from the burner account read.
These posts quickly circulated among the basketball community, sparking speculation about simmering tensions within the Houston Rockets locker room and raising questions about the team’s cohesion.
When questioned about the situation, Durant downplayed the issue, stating his intent to remain focused on basketball and dismissing the online drama.
“I know you got to ask these questions, but I’m not here to get into Twitter nonsense,” Durant said. “I’m just here to focus on the season, keep it pushing.”
“My teammates know what it is,” Durant added. “We’ve been locked in the whole season. Enjoyed our break, had a great practice today, and looking forward to this road trip.”
Contrary to the concerns raised by the burner account’s messages, the Rockets appear to maintain strong team chemistry. Since the All-Star break, Houston has compiled a 5-3 record, improving their overall season standing to 38-23.
Ongoing Focus and Team Outlook After the Rumor Storm
While the Instagram rumor and burner account controversy generated considerable online chatter and concern among fans, the Rockets and Kevin Durant continue prioritizing their performance and team unity amid a competitive NBA season. Durant’s ability to disregard distractions and keep his focus on the court reflects his professionalism during a tense period for both himself and the Houston Rockets.
The disproven Instagram unfollow story highlights the dangers of misinformation spreading quickly on social media, especially involving high-profile athletes like Durant and up-and-coming players like Jabari Smith Jr. How the Rockets navigate these challenges moving forward could influence their cohesion and success in the remaining games of the season.
As they advance toward upcoming contests, including critical road trips, the team’s resilience will be tested, with attention on how the players respond to external pressures and internal expectations.
Kevin Durant unfollowed Jabari Smith Jr. on Instagram after losing to the Warriors 😭
Jabari is the first player IN NBA HISTORY to record the following numbers in a single game:
• 0% FG
• 8 FG attempts
• 5+ turnovers
• 40+ minutes pic.twitter.com/son07RQn02— Hater Report (@HaterReport) March 6, 2026
— Playoff Sports (@PlayoffSports_) February 15, 2026
