Kevin Durant fires back at Charles Barkley’s ‘very sensitive’ comment: ‘This ain’t gettin tiring chuck?’
Durant will reportedly return from injury against the Timberwolves Wednesday night
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The beef between Charles Barkley and Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant continues.
Barkley, an NBA analyst for TNT, has been critical of Durant over the years – while acknowledging his greatness – questioning the path Durant took toward winning two championships with the Golden State Warriors.
Former Auburn player Charles Barkley after the Tigers' game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neville Arena on March 4, 2023, in Auburn, Alabama. (Michael Chang/Getty Images)
Durant has clapped back on social media and through the press, saying he doesn’t require Barkley’s approval.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}KEVIN DURANT 'PART OF THAT GENERATION WHO THINK HE CAN'T BE CRITICIZED,' CHARLES BARKLEY SAYS
And now Durant is getting on Barkley for calling him "very sensitive."
"This ain’t gettin tiring chuck?" Durant posted to Twitter. "I’ll never respect the words that come out ya mouth fam just deal with it."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Durant was responding to a clip from a recent sit down between Barkley and "60 Minutes" on CBS, where Barkley was asked for his thoughts on the 13-time All-Star.
"He's very sensitive. Great player," Barkley said of Durant. "He's part of that generation who think he can't be criticized. He's never looked in the mirror and said, 'Man, was that a fair criticism?’"
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}CBS’ Jon Wertheim asked whether Barkley believes players from the current game are more sensitive to criticism than those Barkley played with.
Charles Barkley is honored as part of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during halftime in the All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Feb. 20, 2022, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Kyle Terada-USA Today Sports)
"That would be (an) understatement," Barkley said.
Durant is expected to return to the court Wednesday night when the Suns face the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to ESPN.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He’s missed the last 10 games after spraining his ankle during warmups before a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 8.
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Kevin Durant of the Suns leaves the court after the Suns beat the Orlando Magic 116-113 at Footprint Center on March 16, 2023, in Phoenix, Arizona. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
On Tuesday, Suns head coach Monty Williams did not confirm Durant’s return, saying the organization would have "an official update when we have one."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I always use the term checking the boxes," Williams' said of Durant's recovery, per ESPN. "You have to get the pain and swelling out and all of that and then you progress onto the floor with shots. And I've seen him go from cardio to shooting to be able to get up and down a little bit and get himself prepared to go to the next level."
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report