LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant: The key stats you need to know in NBA rivalry history

LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant: The key stats you need to know in NBA rivalry history originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

In the NBA, there aren't just team rivalries. Star player matchups are the headliners — they draw in the fans, wanting to see two of the best in the game go head-to-head.

Across league history, there's been plenty of classic player head-to-head matchups that have transcended teams — Wilt Chamberlain vs. Bill Russell, Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan vs. Isiah Thomas were rivalries that defined generations. 

With the unreal longevity of LeBron James' career, he's had some notable rivalries against like the likes of Stephen Curry, Kobe Bryant, Kawhi Leonard and Paul Pierce. But arguably no head-to-head matchup has drawn more attention in James' career than taking on Kevin Durant, especially with how the timing of their trajectories have similarly played out.

Here's a full breakdown of the head-to-head history between James and Durant, two future Hall of Famers who have been going at it for two decades.

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LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant head-to-head stats

In their respective careers, James and Durant have been on the same court as opponents 32 times in the regular season. Of course, both players have played well against the other — but to their own styles.

James' all-around impact has showed in his many matchups against Durant. In regular season games against Durant, James has averaged 25.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game.

Durant, however, has the scoring advantage, as he typically does. In matchups against James, the "Slim Reaper" has averaged 27.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.

Here's a breakdown of the head-to-head regular season stats between Durant and James.

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LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant playoff stats

James and Durant, to date, have played 14 games against one another in the NBA playoffs.

In those games, Durant has averaged 31.7 points per game, including a 43-point performance in Game 3 of the 2018 NBA Finals. James, meanwhile, has averaged 31.9 points in his playoff matchups against Durant, boosted by a 51-point night against the Warriors in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals.

Here's a look at how Durant and James have performed against one another in the postseason.

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LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant head-to-head record

James and Durant have met 46 times in total, 32 of which were regular-season games. Overall, James has the advantage — his teams have gone 26-20 against Durant's teams, including 21-11 in the regular season.

The first-ever Durant vs. James matchup came on Jan. 8, 2008, with the SuperSonics taking on the Cavaliers in Durant's first season. As a rookie, Durant actually outscored James, putting up 24 points to the Cleveland star's 22, but the Cavaliers got the win.

Here are all the team matchups that James and Durant have played in against each other:

• SuperSonics vs. Cavaliers (2008)
• Thunder vs. Cavaliers (2008-10, 2014-16)
• Thunder vs. Heat (2011-14)
• Warriors vs. Cavaliers (2016-18)
• Warriors vs. Lakers (2018)
• Suns vs. Lakers (2023-25)
• Rockets vs. Lakers (2025-26)

LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant playoff record

While James has the overall advantage, Durant's teams have gotten the best of him in the playoffs — primarily the Warriors.

Durant has gone 9-5 in playoff games against James, which includes just the 2012 NBA Finals between the Thunder and Heat, then the 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals between the Warriors and Cavaliers.

In 2026, James and Durant will be meeting in the playoffs before the Finals for the first time in Lakers vs. Rockets.

Here's a breakdown of every James vs. Durant playoff matchup.

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