Rockets’ Kevin Durant reacts to Houston Comets returning to Houston originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
NBA and Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant was all smiles as he talked about the upcoming return of the WNBA’s Houston Comets.
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Following reports, the WNBA made the return of the Comets official on March 30 — announcing that the Fertitta family (owners of the Rockets) has officially entered into an agreement to purchase the Connecticut Sun and relocate them to Houston. Pending league approval, the franchise will begin sharing the Toyota Center with the Houston Rockets for the start of the 2027 WNBA season. The Connecticut Sun will be renamed back to the historic Houston Comets — as the original “Houston Comets” were led by Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson and won the league’s first four championships.
They were known as the first WNBA dynasty.
This is a fact the is important to Durant; following a 111-94 win over the New York Knicks at Toyota Center, Durant was asked his thoughts on the return of the Comets and answered with excitement.
“I’m so happy to see that,” Durant said with a smile. “The Comets are a historic franchise, historic brand. They kickstarted the WNBA … I’m glad they’re back. Can’t wait to see WNBA basketball in Houston.”
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Houston Comets to share Toyato Center with Rockets beginning 2027
Durant has played in 36 games so far this season and posted 27 points most recently over the Knicks — leading the way for the Rockets.
Per previous reporting from The Sporting News, ESPN and PaperCity Magazine, Tilman Fertitta closed the sale to bring the WNBA back to Houston for $300 million.
The original Houston Comets were put up for sale in 2008Â due to financial struggles. League players such as Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers have recently caused a massive spike in WNBA success and fanfare.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced expansion to Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030) in June of 2025. At this time, she also named Houston as likely the next city to reach an agreement with the league.
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The 2026 WNBA season will go on as scheduled after the league and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association came to terms on a historic new collective bargaining agreement which increased the average player salary to be over $580,000.
Opening night is set for May 8, and the regular season will run through Sept. 24.
MORE:Connecticut Sun fanbase furious over relocation to Houston
