Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant was photographed leaving the upscale Nobu Malibu restaurant Tuesday evening with an unidentified woman and attempted to avoid paparazzi by ducking behind a tall bush.
The 6-foot-11 NBA star, who is fifth on the league’s all-time scoring list and a future Hall of Famer, reportedly spotted photographers as he exited the high-end Japanese restaurant. He quickly moved behind the bush and waited several minutes while the woman remained inside or near the entrance. Once she emerged, Durant followed her closely, and the pair got into the same vehicle and drove away.
Photos of the moment, captured by paparazzi and distributed through outlets including the Daily Mail show Durant’s large frame partially obscured by foliage in what quickly became a viral and widely mocked scene. The woman, described in some reports as having long dark hair, has not been publicly identified.
Durant has long kept his personal life relatively private. He was previously engaged to former WNBA player Monica Wright, a relationship that ended in 2014. He has been linked in the past to other public figures, including recent unsubstantiated rumors involving Liz Cambage that have since faded without confirmation from either party.
Kevin Durant was seen leaving Nobu Malibu with an unidentified woman
Durant reportedly hid behind a bush to avoid the paparazzi taking pictures before they both got into the same car and drove off (via @DailyMail) pic.twitter.com/yx4RdO92TQ
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) June 5, 2026
Social media reactions
The images and video clips spread rapidly on X, sparking a wave of humorous takes centered on the irony of a 6-foot-11 athlete trying to hide behind shrubbery.
One of the earliest and most viral posts came from @PolymarketHoops, which shared the photos with the caption: “Kevin Durant was seen leaving Nobu Malibu with an unidentified woman. Durant reportedly hid behind a bush to avoid the paparazzi taking pictures before they both got into the same car and drove off. 😭 (via @DailyMail).” The post quickly amassed thousands of likes, reposts, and bookmarks.
Other users joined in with memes and jokes:
- “Not Kevin Durant trying the Scooby-Doo hiding technique on paparazzi.”
- Posts comparing the scene to Wilson from Home Improvement or Shaq behind a tree, highlighting the height disadvantage.
- One account posted a still with the caption “Kevin Durant avoiding the paparazzi at Nobu Malibu,” while another joked he should “choose not to go to Nobu in Malibu” if he wants privacy.
- Video clips of Durant behind the bush circulated widely, with captions calling it “the most unexpected crossover of NBA superstar and cartoon character energy.”
Many reactions mixed amusement with lighthearted commentary on Durant’s attempt to keep a low profile after a dinner outing. As of Friday morning, the woman’s identity remains unconfirmed by Durant, his representatives, or major media outlets. Some social media users have speculated she could be a longtime acquaintance, but those claims have not been substantiated.
Durant and the Rockets concluded their 2025-26 season with a first-round playoff exit. He has not commented publicly on the photos.
The incident adds to the long list of celebrity moments at Nobu Malibu that have played out in front of cameras despite efforts to avoid them.
Flip the page for the KD lady photos.
