The showdown between Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant is always a must-see on TV. After all, it’s not often that these two future Hall of Famers and two of the best small forwards on the NBA court face off against each other. But over the past few years, neither star has shared an NBA court due to injury issues for both stars.
But on Thursday night, James and Durant will finally have their long-awaited rematch as the Lakers take on the Suns at home. More than a thousand days have passed since they last faced off on the court for their respective NBA teams.
When was the last time LeBron James faced off against Kevin Durant, according to ClutchPoints Twitter (X) Happened 1,767 days agoOn Christmas Day 2018, James’ Lakers faced off against Kevin Durant’s Golden State Warriors.
Lakers fans should remember this day fondly; after all, James and the purple and gold’s young players – Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and Ivica Zubac — defeated the defending champion Warriors and became their Christmas Grinch. They defeated their opponents 127-101 by 26 points. Durant scored 21 points on 5-of-13 shooting and stopped Stephen Curry from scoring 15 points on 5-of-17 shooting.
Since then, James and Durant have been injured every time the two teams have met. In the 2019-20 season, after Durant moved to the Brooklyn Nets, Durant missed the entire season due to a torn Achilles tendon. The following season, Durant missed February 2021 with a hamstring strain, and James was sidelined two months later with an ankle injury.
Meanwhile, Kevin Durant had to deal with stricter COVID-19 protocols during the 2021-22 season, then nursed a sprained knee and missed time both times. Then in the 2022-23 season, it was the Lakers star’s turn to miss time due to an adductor strain, and both stars missed the January 2023 season. To make matters worse, after Durant was traded to the Suns, he failed to suit up twice against the Lakers.
Hopefully all systems are truly on board for the upcoming LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant showdown that everyone has been waiting nearly five years to witness again.