LeBron James and Kevin Durant are set to go head-to-head once again in a highly anticipated matchup on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. This game marks another chapter in the storied rivalry between two of the NBA's greatest players.
Having faced off 39 times in both regular season and playoff games, including three NBA Finals, James and Durant have a long history of competition. Prior to their first meeting of the current season on October 26, 2023, they had not played against each other in nearly five years, with their last matchup dating back to Christmas Day 2018.
The upcoming game carries significant implications for the Western Conference standings, with the Phoenix Suns holding the No. 8 seed and the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 9 heading into Sunday's clash.
James, currently averaging 24.9 points per game, holds the record for the highest scoring average in a 21st season in the NBA. On the other hand, Durant boasts an average of 28.1 points, the highest for any player in their 16th season.
One notable statistic is James' 18-7 lead in their head-to-head regular-season matchups, the best record against Durant with a minimum of 25 games played. However, Durant has the edge in playoff series, leading 9-5 across three NBA Finals.
Both players are among the top scorers in NBA history, with James currently the all-time leading scorer and Durant ranking ninth after surpassing Carmelo Anthony. Together, they have amassed a combined total of 68,194 points, setting a new record for the most points scored by two players entering a single game in NBA history.
Durant has had impressive scoring performances against James, averaging 29 points in their regular-season encounters. While Durant has outscored James in most matchups, James holds the record for the highest-scoring game with a 51-point performance in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals.
James also holds the record for the most consecutive games with at least 10 points at 1,201, while Durant ranks fifth with a streak of 562 games. The last time James failed to score 10 points in a regular-season game was back in 2007, highlighting his remarkable consistency on the court.
In their recent meeting, James and Durant both had below-average scoring outputs, marking a rare occurrence in their matchups. Despite their individual achievements, both players continue to showcase their talent and competitiveness every time they step on the court.
