Kevin Durant and his business partner, Rich Kleiman, celebrated their company Boardroom as well as the Brooklyn Nets’ strong start to the 2022-23 NBA season with a star-studded private party.
Serena Williams, Erin Foster, Polo G and Sloane Stephens were just some of the big names who attended Durant’s VIP bash at new Italian restaurant Cucina Alba in Chelsea on Thursday night.
“People were dancing, drinking and enjoying small bites,” an insider tells Page Six exclusively, adding that Durant, 34, was “happy and social” and had “a very chill, cool demeanor” throughout the evening.
“The venue was packed, and everyone showed off their moves to the throwback ’90s jams played by DJs Samantha Ronson and Jus Ske,” the source shares.
Serena Williams made an appearance and congratulated Rich Kleiman and Durant.Jocko Graves / Boardroom
Serena Williams made an appearance and congratulated Rich Kleiman.Jocko Graves / Boardroom
Other notable guests at the fête included Cam’ron, Tyran “Ty Ty” Smith, Noah Tepperberg, Richie Akiva and David Grutman.
Partygoers enjoyed specialty cocktails called Boardroom State of Mind, NFTini and Whiskey Business. As for the decadent dishes, attendees noshed on eggplant parmigiana, crispy mushroom lasagna, espresso-braised short rib and toro-stuffed rigatoni.
We’re told KD seemed to be on a high after leading the Nets to victory against the New York Knicks on Wednesday in a 112-85 blowout performance.
Off the court, things have not been smooth sailing for the Brooklyn team, however.
Other celebs who made an appearance included Cam’ron and Polo G.Jocko Graves / Boardroom
Other celebs who made an appearance included Cam’ron and Polo G.Jocko Graves / Boardroom
Other celebs who made an appearance included Cam’ron and Polo G.Jocko Graves / Boardroom
The Nets suspended Kyrie Irving earlier this month after he promoted on Twitter a film that included anti-Semitic tropes and repeatedly refused to apologize for it.
“We were dismayed today, when given an opportunity in a media session, that Kyrie refused to unequivocally say he has no anti-Semitic beliefs nor acknowledge specific hateful material in the film,” the team said in a statement on Nov. 3. “This was not the first time he had the opportunity — but failed — to clarify.
“Such failure to disavow anti-Semitism when given a clear opportunity to do so is deeply disturbing, is against the values of our organization and constitutes conduct detrimental to the team. Accordingly, we are of the view that he is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets.”
Durant and Kleiman are co-partners for Boardroom. Jocko Graves / Boardroom
Only after his suspension did Irving, 30, finally apologize, writing in part on Instagram, “I take full accountability and responsibly for my actions. … To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize.”
Durant, for his part, defended Irving and shared that he thought his teammate’s suspension was an overreaction.
“It’s an unfortunate situation for people that are impacted by this situation. It just sucks all around for everybody. Hopefully we can move past it,” he said. “That’s just the way of the NBA now. … Everybody has an opinion on this situation, and we’re hearing it nonstop.
“But once the balls start bouncing and we get into practice, none of that stuff seeps into the gym. So that’s the cool part about being in the league.”
Samantha Ronson was the DJ. Jocko Graves / Boardroom
After facing backlash for his comments on Irving, Durant took to Twitter to clarify.
“I don’t condone hate speech or anti-semetism [sic], I’m about spreading love always,” he wrote. “Our game Unites people and I wanna make sure that’s at the forefront.”