Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
NBA fans excited for long-awaited showdown between LeBron James and Kevin Durant
Thursday’s preseason game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns was the first time the two MVPs played on the same court since 2018, a Christmas Day game that saw James’ Lakers beat Tulane by a final score of 127-101 The special Golden State Warriors.
Both players have performed well in recent matchups, with Durant showing off his signature mid-range shooting touch while James is firing on all cylinders from beyond the arc. The 38-year-old hit three three-pointers at the end of the second quarter.
In the first half alone, Durant made 8 of 14 shots and scored 21 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. James followed in the footsteps of the four-time scoring champion, hitting 6 of 11 shots and finishing with 19 points and 3 rebounds.
Fans are amazed at the scoring abilities of each NBA legend.
Bleacher Report @Bleacher Report
Brown x KD.
Finally๐๐ pic.twitter.com/anNq5geHux
basketball center @ring center
LeBron x KD. โ pic.twitter.com/pFGCdmwhWp
โ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ @sun cooking
LeBron and KD halftime stats:
KD – 21 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 shares
57/66/75 66.6 TS%
LeBron – 19 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 shares
> 54/60/80 72 TS%The showdown we’ve been waiting for lives up to expectations pic.twitter.com/ZJ09pWAHbX
โ๏ธ @Western goat 7
LeBron and KD hope you enjoy seeing it pic.twitter.com/35tmn3kAu7
ูโผ @lakers cooking
KD 21
LeBron 19I missed this fightpic.twitter.com/96syOAc3Bu
brown muse @brown muse
LeBron vs. Durant halftime:
19 PTS 21 PTS
3 REB 4 REB
2 AST 2 AST
6-11 FG 8-14 FG
3-5 3PT 1- 2 3 points
5 +/- +/- 5The Lakers lead by 4 points. ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ pic.twitter.com/L36qxN4bOZ
sahim @Sahim 23_
LeBron James VS Kevin Durant is still the most worth watching matchup in the NBA๐ค๐ค pic.twitter.com/qqr74lvFxl
NBA TV @NBA TV
Durant (KD) surpasses LeBron (Bron) ๐ฅถ pic.twitter.com/sU4KQAaqic
The two have a long history of competing in high-pressure situations, dating back to the 2012 Finals, when James’ Miami Heat defeated Durant’s Oklahoma City Thunder in five games.
Their first chance to play together in a regular season game since 2018 will be on October 26, when the Lakers host the Suns at Crypto.com Arena. Reporting time is 10pm Eastern Time.