Thursday’s matchup between the Lakers and Suns was highly anticipated for several reasons. Both teams are among the favorites to win the NBA’s Western Conference. Also, it would be the first time superstars LeBron James and Kevin Durant faced each other on the court since Christmas 2018.
Durant downplayed the five-year gap between head-to-head matchups when talking to reporters before Thursday’s game. But he expressed admiration for the sustained run of excellence that James has enjoyed, saying the 21-year veteran is one of the top two basketball players of all time.
In Durant’s view, James’s status as one of the best players on the court every night is particularly impressive considering his age. “Especially at age 40,” Durant said.
