LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant in NBA playoffs Once Again, Every Past Result
LeBron James and Kevin Durant are considered by most to be two of the three greatest players of their generation, along with Stephen Curry. That is why, anytime they go head-to-head, especially in the playoffs, it is a must-see event that will be significant to NBA history. Unlike Stephen Curry, the fact that James and Durant both play the same position on the court (small forward) usually means that a series faceoff is one truly between the two.
The No. 4 seed Los Angeles Lakers are currently playing the No. 5 seed Houston Rockets in Round 1 of the NBA’s Western Conference playoffs. James’ Lakers have a 1-0 lead in the seven-game series after beating the Rockets in Game 1 on Saturday 107-98. Durant did not play due to a knee injury.
Game Won. pic.twitter.com/x4xNVLTAgd
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 19, 2026
Game 2 of the series tips off on Tuesday at 10:30 p.m. ET, in which Durant is still listed as questionable on the latest injury report but is considered optimistic to play. When the Rockets’ leading scorer (26.0) takes the court in this series, it will be the fourth career meeting between James and Durant.
The two superstars have spent a majority of their careers in opposite conferences, which means playoff matchups between them could only take place in the NBA Finals. Lakers vs. Rockets will be the first in the same conference. All three previous playoff series between James and Durant were for the NBA championship.
Let’s take a look at the results of their three playoff battles.
Past Results of James vs. Durant in Playoffs
NBA Finals 2012 — Miami Heat (James) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Durant)
Heat beat Thunder 4-1.
LeBron James (Finals MVP): 28.6 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 7.4 apg
Kevin Durant: 30.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.2 apg
NBA Finals 2017 — Cleveland Cavaliers (James) vs. Golden State Warriors (Durant)
Warriors beat Cavaliers 4-1.
LeBron James: 33.6 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 10.0 apg
Kevin Durant (Finals MVP): 35.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 5.4 apg
NBA Finals 2018 — Cleveland Cavaliers (James) vs. Golden State Warriors (Durant)
Warriors beat Cavaliers 4-0.
LeBron James: 34.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 10.0 apg
Kevin Durant (Finals MVP): 28.8 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 7.5 apg
Two of the greats on the biggest stage ????
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 17, 2026
A look back at LeBron vs. KD in the playoffs throughout the years ???? pic.twitter.com/hWse49soWU
In the three previous playoff matchups (all in NBA Finals), Durant has beaten James 2-1. In total across the multiple postseason meetings, James averages 31.9 ppg to Durant’s 31.7.
NBA fans are hours away from the start of the fourth and very possibly final playoff duel between two of the most important figures to ever play the game.
The Rockets, who hope to return Durant, are currently -5.5 point favorites according to ESPN to win Game 2 in Los Angeles and tie the series 1-1. The Lakers, without stars Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves indefinitely, will need a vintage performance from LeBron James.