LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers vs Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors has been the best rivalry over the past decade in the NBA, and perhaps one of the best in the history of the sport.
While the two battled in four straight NBA Finals from 2015 to 2018, James and Curry now appear to be more friends than enemies, as seen in the Warriors’ star’s appearance on the 41-year-old’s podcast.
However, ahead of the Lakers vs Warriors game, a contest that is highlighted not only by the two stars but also by the major injury reports for both teams, it could be one of the last times two of the best players of a generation match up against each other.
LeBron James Vs Stephen Curry All-Time Stats And Record
GettyLeBron James and Steph Curry during a game between the Lakers and Warriors in January 2024
James and Curry have played in 56 total games in the 17 seasons they’ve been in the NBA together. James leads Curry in the regular season with a 14-13 record, while Curry is 17-11 in the playoffs, and holds the overall edge, with a 30-26 record over him.
Curry has beaten James in three of the four NBA Finals the superstars have competed against each other in, though team rosters and supporting casts could be argued in each one of those series, especially in 2017 and 2018 (Kevin Durant would like to have a word).
Curry won titles in 2015, 2017, and 2018, while James had his famous 3-1 comeback in 2016, highlighted by his legendary chase-down block.
As for the statistical comparison, James typically has the edge over Curry in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks, but the point guard usually has an advantage in the steals department, as well as three-point and free-throw shooting.
LeBron James Stats vs Stephen Curry: 30.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks on 50.7/34.8/73.7 shooting splits.
Stephen Curry Stats vs LeBron James: 24.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.3 blocks on 47.1/42.2/91.3 shooting splits.
It’s a rivalry that marked an entire era of the NBA, and while both look to be in the final stages of their careers, the upcoming Lakers vs Warriors game could be one of the last times fans get a chance to see James and Curry on the court together.
Lakers Vs Warriors Game Preview
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The Lakers come into the game with a 50-29 record, currently fourth in the West, and likely to either stay there or fall to fifth in the standings, but still all but certainly set to play the Houston Rockets in the first round.
Los Angeles is dealing with major injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, while Marcus Smart remains questionable with an ankle injury, having missed the past few weeks.
James missed the Lakers’ last game against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to injury management, but is expected to play Thursday against Golden State.
As for the Warriors, they are currently 37-41 and will be the 10th seed in the West, bound for another year of the Play-In Tournament. Several huge injuries and the lengthy Jonathan Kuminga saga derailed Golden State’s season earlier in the year.
Then, Curry went down with a knee injury, missing more than two months before coming back just a few days before the game against the Lakers.
Now, before the game featuring James and Curry, the Warriors have a ton of players currently listed on the injury report.
Jimmy Butler, Moses Moody, Al Horford, Quinten Post, and Kristaps Porzingis have all been ruled out with different injuries. Charles Bassey and Gui Santos are both questionable, while Will Richard is doubtful, and LJ Cyrer is probable.
Interestingly enough, Curry is currently listed as questionable for injury management, still with an uncertain status for the game. However, the expectation is that he will play in what could be the final time he sets on the floor against James.
Whenever or however the careers of Curry and James end, and if this is the last time the two play in an NBA game together, the superstars cemented themselves as two of the best, with one of the best rivalries in the history of the sport.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors tips off at 7 pm PST on Amazon Prime Video.
LeBron James And Steph Curry Could Be Facing Off For Last Time In Lakers-Warriors Game