Two of the best all-around players in the NBA over the last decade or so have been LeBron James and Kevin Durant, with both players winning multiple championships and being considered among the elite at the forward position.
Although the battles between these superstar forwards are must-see TV in the NBA, we have not seen them go head-to-head since 2018, which is kind of mind-blowing.
However, both players share the same division now, with Durant leading the charge for the Phoenix Suns and James returning to the Los Angeles Lakers for at least one more season.
This sets up multiple matchups between these two, with the first one set to be played on October 26 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Three more notable games on NBA’s 2023-24 season schedule – including the date Lakers‘ LeBron James and Suns‘ Kevin Durant face off for first time since 2018: pic.twitter.com/hcJ42DUFFc
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 11, 2023
The Lakers will start the 2023-24 NBA season on the road in a Western Conference Finals rematch with the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets on October 24, with only a day to travel and get ready to host Durant and company on October 26.
With the Suns acquiring sharpshooter Bradley Beal this summer and the Lakers making all the right moves to keep their team intact, Phoenix and Los Angeles will likely be title contenders in the West next season, meaning these regular-season matchups will be crucial and a potential preview of a playoff showdown.
The Pacific division will be as tough as any in the NBA next season, with the Lakers and Suns sharing the spotlight with the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, and Los Angeles Clippers, which are all expected to be forces to be reckoned with in the conference.
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