For a player as generationally skilled as Darryn Peterson, the nonstop discourse around him is already exhausting.
After struggling this past month with more injuries, Peterson fired back at critics who say he doesn’t love the game of basketball.
Darryn Peterson fires back at critics, saying he doesn’t want to miss games
“Basketball is my life. If I could have been out there every game this year, I would have. If you would have asked me last year, what were my goals for this year, I would never mention missing games.”… pic.twitter.com/z7tfNyqdoN
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 23, 2026
Despite declaring his love for the game, it rings hollow when he keeps checking out of games he’s dominating in.
Reaction to Peterson’s quote was met with a split reaction.
Darryn Peterson: “I hate missing games”
His agent making sure he doesn’t get hurt before going pro: pic.twitter.com/BhXp0hts8V
— Onyx (@OnyxOdds) February 23, 2026
It’s not totally his fault. He is growing up in an era where he sees players run right to locker room without the trainer checking them out , Parents and some Agents saying sit down with any pain and this should send the most fear, They are worried about their BRAND over team! https://t.co/nTNVALcBfZ
— Eddie A Johnson (@Jumpshot8) February 23, 2026
I’m dead serious there’s just a large contingent of NBA and CBB fans who will not believe you’re injured until you suffer major injury. The amount of people pretending Hali’s calf stuff was fake until he tore his Achilles was frightening. https://t.co/l1QHJB4YOy
— nah (@casualtweeter02) February 23, 2026
This all sounds good if we didn’t have footage of Darryn Peterson asking for a break 2 minutes into the second half after hitting a 3 pic.twitter.com/XNGCTqKoQZ https://t.co/oGYlAja9RT
— John (@iam_johnw) February 23, 2026
With Kansas poised for a deep March run, all eyes are on Darryn Peterson and whether he can bring consistent minutes to a team competing for a national title.
