Former NBA player Tony Allen is convinced that Los Angeles Clippers point guard Patrick Beverley is doing a great job defending Golden State Warriors superstar Kevin Durant.

Beverley, who is just 6-foot-1, is giving up a lot of height in his matchup with Durant, who is a long 6-foot-9 forward. In an interview with Chris Vernon of Grind City Media, Allen explained why Beverley is having a lot of success guarding the much taller Durant in their playoff series.

Allen, who is a three-time NBA All-Defensive First Team member, said that big and tall guys like Durant are having difficulties operating in crowded space. The one-time NBA champion pointed out that Beverley is doing a great job limiting the space for Durant to do his usual stuff in offense.

“One thing that hurts those tall guys who can put it on the floor is crowded space,” Tony Allen said. “And that's all Patrick Beverley is doing, is crowding the space, not letting him catch it, making it physical for him to catch, and when he gets it, it's a competition within, and I think Patrick Beverley's winning that battle.”

Article Continues Below
Related News
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles the ball next to Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan (10) in the first quarter at the Golden 1 Center.
Chronic LeBron James playoff victim sends NSFW message on 40-year-old dominanceBrett Siegel ·
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) defends against Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) in the first quarter during game one of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden.
Are Karl-Anthony Towns, Aaron Nesmith playing? Pacers-Knicks Game 5 injury reportMalik Brown ·
Nickeil Alexander-Walker playing for Timberwolves with Timberwolves logo in background.
Ranking Nickeil Alexander-Walker free-agency destinations if he leaves TimberwolvesBailey Bassett ·
Naz Reid playing for Timberwolves with T-Wolves logo in background.
Ranking 3 best Naz Reid free-agency destinations if he leaves TimberwolvesBailey Bassett ·
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) drives to the hoop past New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the second quarter of game three of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
NBA news: Knicks-Pacers Game 3 pulls ratings not seen since LeBron’s Cavs daysJulian Ojeda ·
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) defends a drive by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second half at Paycom Center.
10 NBA teams who could achieve the next three-peatSpencer See ·

In their first two games, Kevin Durant has been limited to 22.0 points in 33 minutes per game. It is below his averages of 26.0 points during the regular season. He was also ejected in the series opener, as he was visibly upset of how Patrick Beverley was defending him and trying to get into his head.

In their 135-131 loss to the Clippers on Monday night, Durant had just eight attempts from the field, finishing with 21 points, 11 of those coming from the free-throw line. During the regular season, the former NBA Most Valuable Player averaged 17.7 attempts from the field.