The first-round series opening Saturday night between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers could be the final time LeBron James and Kevin Durant share a postseason court. Game 1 tips at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Even in the twilight of their careers, both stars remain productive. James, 41, produced 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds across 60 regular-season games. Durant, 37, averaged 26.0 points, extending his streak of seasons at 25 or more to 19. The two future Hall of Famers are also tied with 13 campaigns of at least 25 points per game on 50% shooting or better.
They have met three times in the playoffs, all on the NBA’s biggest stage. A look back at those matchups:
2012 NBA Finals: Heat 4, Thunder 1
Durant’s Oklahoma City Thunder surged past the Mavericks, Lakers and Spurs to earn a date with the Miami Heat, who were chasing redemption after losing the 2011 Finals. Durant’s 36 points powered the Thunder to a Game 1 victory, but Miami answered with four consecutive wins. James captured his first championship and the Finals MVP after averaging 28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds and 7.4 assists. Durant averaged 30.6 points and six rebounds in the series, the last featuring Oklahoma City’s trio of Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden.
2017 NBA Finals: Warriors 4, Cavaliers 1
One season after Cleveland’s historic comeback from a 3-1 deficit, Durant joined Golden State and helped the Warriors roll through the Western Conference at 12-0. The Cavaliers lost only once on their way to a third straight Finals meeting, but Golden State claimed the first two games by a combined 41 points. Durant’s late three over James sealed Game 3, and after Cleveland staved off elimination in Game 4, the Warriors closed out in five. Durant earned Finals MVP with 35.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. James became the first player to average a triple-double in the Finals, finishing at 33.6 points, 12.0 rebounds and 10.0 assists.
2018 NBA Finals: Warriors 4, Cavaliers 0
Cleveland, seeded fourth in the East, needed two seven-game series to reach a fourth consecutive Finals, while Golden State battled past Houston in a Game 7 on the road. Game 1 became infamous when JR Smith dribbled out the clock with the score tied; James had 51 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, but the Warriors prevailed in overtime. Golden State swept the series to secure back-to-back titles, giving Durant his second championship ring. James averaged 34.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 8.8 assists during the postseason, his final run with the Cavaliers.
The upcoming Rockets-Lakers series adds another chapter to one of the defining individual rivalries of the 21st century—and, potentially, its closing act.
Source: ESPN
