LeBron James, Stephen Curry Candidly Reflect on Epic Rivalry After Lakers-Warriors Classic

The two NBA stalwarts put their rivalry into perfect perspective.

LeBron James and Stephen Curry authored another riveting chapter in the storybook of their epic NBA rivalry on Saturday night, as James’s Los Angeles Lakers defeated Curry’s Golden State Warriors, 145—144, in double overtime at the Chase Center. 

Both James, 39 and Curry, 35, have a great appreciation for the rivalry, given that it’s unknown how many more clashes the two superstars will have with their respective careers slowly drawing to a close. 

The two shared an embrace immediately after the game, then, in separate postgame interviews, offered candid thoughts about their battles over the years. Here’s James, who said he’ll be able to tell his grandkids that he “played against one of the best.” 

"It's something that you will truly take all in when you're done playing... to watch with your grandkids and say that I played against one of the best players to ever play this game."

LeBron, on another special battle with Steph 💯 https://t.co/CIoNoLkL7q pic.twitter.com/zP5UfFTfNa

— NBA (@NBA) January 28, 2024

Then, Curry put the rivalry into perspective with this thoughtful quote. 

“Every year that we get to do this and go back and forth, the battles—the Finals runs, the playoff battles last year—after the horn sounded tonight there was a little laugh of, I can’t imagine a scenario where a game like tonight happens, [with] him in Season 21 and me in Year 15,” Curry said.

Curry went on to say that he and James have a “mutual respect of what it takes” to maintain their high levels of play. 

The rivalry between the two took off when James returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014. Since that point, the two clashed multiple times in the regular season, NBA Finals and playoffs, creating some iconic—and sometimes tense—moments. 

Saturday’s battle, which saw James drop 36 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists while Curry scored 46 points, was yet another classic, even if Curry and Warriors coach Steve Kerr took exception to the officiating.