In just his second season playing in the NBA, it’s been well-established that Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid isn’t afraid to talk some trash with anyone in the league. That includes a former MVP in Golden State Warriors superstar Kevin Durant. The two got into a verbal back and forth during their meeting on Saturday which saw them receive double technicals.

Durant, though, clarified later on that his the trash talk with “The Process” was nothing personal. Instead, he just used it to juice himself up with more energy.

“He talks a lot of s**t so… I needed some energy so I knew if I threw a couple words at him he’ll hype me up so it was fun. Me and Joel, I’ve known him since he first came into the league so it’s nothing personal.”

https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/929569389539500032

Durant’s method of pumping himself up sure worked as he burned Embiid and the Sixers for 29 points on 11-of-18 shooting in just 28 minutes of action to lead the Warriors to a comfortable 135-114 win.

The Warriors and Sixers will meet for a second and final time this season next Saturday in Philly. After Durant’s excellent performance, he’ll have a bit more trash talk ammunition he can use if Embiid does decide to make the foolish mistake of engaging him in even more verbal jousting.