Durant Calls Out Shams Charania for Phone Use During Celebrity Game

Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant criticized ESPN's NBA insider for being distracted during the high-profile charity basketball event.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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During the NBA Celebrity All-Stars Game on Friday, Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant openly criticized ESPN insider Shams Charania for using his phone on the sidelines instead of focusing on the ongoing game. Charania was part of Team Giannis, which included a diverse group of celebrities and athletes, but his phone use during the event prompted Durant to publicly call for more respect.

Why it matters

Durant's reaction highlights the tension between professional dedication and the spirit of a celebrity charity game. While Charania's focus on his insider role is understandable, the event served as a reminder of the importance of fully engaging in the moment during lighthearted competitions.

The details

Shams Charania was part of Team Giannis, coached by Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, at the 2026 Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. The team included a diverse group of participants, such as actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key, actor Rome Flynn, Chinese actor and singer Dylan Wang, former NBA player Tacko Fall, social media personality Jenna Bandy, Charlotte Hornets Co-Chairman Rick Schnall, former NBA champion Jeremy Lin, rapper GloRilla, Brazilian soccer legend Cafu, and Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Despite Charania's reputation as a dedicated NBA insider for ESPN since late 2024, Durant's comments suggested there was a wrong time for phone checks, as his tweet clearly showed his frustration over Charania's phone use during an active basketball game.

  • The incident occurred during the NBA Celebrity All-Stars Game on Friday night.

The players

Kevin Durant

A star player for the Houston Rockets who openly criticized ESPN insider Shams Charania for using his phone during the celebrity basketball event.

Shams Charania

An ESPN insider who was part of Team Giannis at the 2026 Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game but was criticized by Kevin Durant for being distracted by his phone during the game.

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What they’re saying

“My goodness, have some respect @ShamsCharania...during the game??????????”

— Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets star (Twitter)

The takeaway

Durant's public callout of Charania captures the tension between professional dedication and the spirit of a celebrity charity game. While Charania's focus on his insider role is understandable, the event served as a reminder of the importance of fully engaging in the moment during lighthearted competitions.