Lakers star LeBron James, Kevin Durant share special moment after Game 6 win

The Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets proved to be more special and more memorable than injuries made it seem from the get-go; in addition to Luka Doncic’s absence for the entire series as well as Austin Reaves’ absence for the first four games, Kevin Durant could only suit up in just one outing — a Game 2 loss on the road — which has robbed fans of a Durant-LeBron James playoff swan song.

In the end, without Durant for much of the series, the Rockets ended up bowing to the Lakers in six games, with LA taking care of business in Game 6 on Friday night, 98-78. James was as ageless as ever, scoring 28 points and recording seven rebounds and eight assists in the closeout victory, and all Durant could do was watch on the sidelines as his team’s season came to a screeching halt.

After the game, the two pillars of the sport shared an embrace, with mutual respect taking precedent over whatever competitive animosity the Lakers-Rockets series may have bred.

LeBron James Kevin Durant

2 NBA legends embrace after Game 6!

(via @NBAonPrime) pic.twitter.com/MQcf6bv4FK

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 2, 2026

James and Durant have met a total of four times in the playoffs, with the Lakers star taking home two matchups over the Rockets star. In 2012, it was James who triumphed over Durant in the NBA Finals, but in 2017 and 2018, Durant got his revenge after teaming up with the Golden State Warriors.

James has now evened up the all-time head-to-head tally against Durant, as they are now 2-2 against each other in playoff matchups. The Lakers star is already 41 years of age, however, and it’s not quite clear if they will ever get an opportunity to settle the score.

Both James and Durant have been faces of the NBA over the past 15 years or so, and it will be sad day in the NBA when both of them call it a career. That day may not have come yet, but when it does, what a drastic change in the league it would be.

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