LeBron James and Kevin Durant faced each other in a meaningful game for the first time in five years and the two NBA legends put on a show in the Los Angeles Lakers-Phoenix Suns game.
Durant, playing without Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, put up 39 points and 11 rebounds in 39 minutes. Meanwhile, LeBron finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and nine assists in 35 minutes and closed the game in the fourth quarter for the Lakers with two baskets.
After the game, LeBron and Durant showered each other with praise while speaking to NBA reporters.
“We’ve had so many battles, (and) we don’t have many matchups left,” LeBron said about playing against Durant. “Not sure how many we have left, so you don’t ever want to take it for granted when you’re out there with such a great player, one of the best to ever play this game. It’s always a treat. It’s fun.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns Updates
Added Durant: “Someone you just compare yourself to. If you could accomplish and achieve some of the stuff that he’s done, you’re doing pretty solid for yourself. It’s just a baseline for yourself as a player to see how great you can be.”
LeBron and Durant have combined to win six NBA championships, five regular-season MVPs and six Finals MVPs. Durant admitted to reporters that LeBron was coaching his teammates while also playing at a high level, which made it tough for the Suns to beat the Lakers.
“It was tough,” Durant said. “He was pretty much coaching the team on how to guard certain actions. That’s what he’s been doing his whole career. … It’s always a battle playing against high-IQ players like that.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns Updates
The Lakers and Suns are both 1-1 on the season. It was certainly a treat for NBA fans to watch LeBron and Durant battle against each other for the first time since the 2019-20 season.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
Interested in reading the latest storylines and analysis in the NFL? Check out our partner NFL Analysis Network.
