NBA legends LeBron James and Stephen Curry showered each other with strong praise after the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors last night in a double-overtime classic.
LeBron and Curry, who have faced each other in four NBA Finals, put on a show on Saturday. LeBron finished with 36 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists, while Curry put up 46 points and seven assists.
“It’s something I’ll be able to talk about with my grandkids,” LeBron said of his matchup with Curry. “When you talk about me being able to compete versus one of the greatest players to ever play the game. It’s been a treat to go against one of the greatest to ever play this game. For us to continue to push each other at the state of our careers, you don’t take it for granted because you don’t know how many times you’re actually going to get the moment to actually be on the same floor with such a talent.”
Curry hit a 3-pointer at the top of the key to give the Warriors a one-point lead with 5.9 seconds left in the second overtime. On the Lakers’ possession, LeBron drove the ball hard to the basket and was fouled by Draymond Green. The four-time MVP hit both shots from the foul line to give the Lakers a big win on the road.
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“Every year that we get to do this and go back and forth, the battles — the Finals runs, the playoff battles last year — after the horn sounded tonight there was a little laugh of, I can’t imagine a scenario where a game like tonight happens, [with] him in Season 21 and me in Year 15,” Curry said about playing against LeBron. “You look forward to the battles, but you also appreciate the mutual respect of what it takes to keep doing what you’re doing at this level. Only a few people know how hard it is. I’m happy to be in that group.”
Both LeBron and Curry are putting up spectacular numbers this season. LeBron is averaging 25.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.6 assists at the age of 39, while Curry is putting up 27.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game at the age of 35.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors Updates
“Credit to LeBron for what he’s doing at his age. I mean, that guy is a freak of nature in terms of his ability to play at this level for so long. Same with Steph,” Warriors guard Klay Thompson said. “When you’re younger, you don’t ever really think that basketball will stop because it’s what you love. It’s all you do. But when you get to your 30s, you realize there’s an end point to being an athlete. Knowing that, I am very grateful to step on the floor with those guys and play against LeBron.”
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