Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant have enjoyed a similar level of success during the 2010s. Both forwards won two championships and two Finals MVPs in the decade all while being named to countless All-NBA and All-Star teams.
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They’ve faced each other in the regular season merely 14 times due to each suffering various injuries that kept them out of play for extended periods of time. In those matchups, they hold an even record of 7-7.
During the regular season, Kevin Durant has averaged 27.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 4.3 assists a game. Kawhi Leonard put up 20.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.8 steals in those 14 games. his career high in the regular season against KD is 37 while Durant’s against Kawhi is 51.
Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard meet in the Playoffs yet again
Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard have actually met in the Playoffs quite a bit. The have played 20 games against one another with Durant edging out ‘The Klaw’ 12-8. Most of their duels took place during Leonard’s time with the San Antonio Spurs.
They played one game against one another in the 2019 NBA Finals, which was the Game 5 where KD tore his Achilles and would exit the game before halftime. Fast-forward to present day and these two titans facing off against one another in the first round in the series between the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers.
In those 20 matchups in the Playoffs, KD has averaged 27.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4 assists a game. Kawhi has put up 15.8 points, and 7.9 rebounds a night to go along with 1.6 steals a game.
Kawhi Leonard on facing Kevin Durant:
“He’s a great player. These are the fun parts of it, just going out there and competing against a guy like him that’s been doing it year after year. Everybody’s gonna have to take the challenge.”
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 14, 2023
