Lakers News: Date Announced For First LeBron James-Kevin Durant Meeting In 5 Years

It's been TOO long.

In another schedule update for the 2023-24 NBA regular season, two Pacific division foes will meet early in the season in a long-awaited chapter of a storied individual rivalry. 

With Shams Charania of The Athletic reporting today on some important games to kick off the NBA's regular 82 game slate, one game on October 26 will surely stand out to fans of the purple and gold everywhere:

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

Injury luck has prevented both LA and Phoenix's superstar forwards from duking it out in a fun matchup of two of the best of all time. 

Since Kevin Durant's Achilles injury with the Warriors and subsequent stint in the opposite conference, the opportunity to play his long time rival hasn't been available as he hasn't. 

James' own ailments with his groin, ankle and foot in recent seasons, despite with Durant's move back to the Western Conference, have prevented fans from seeing two of the game's greats add another chapter to their long history. 

For the time being should training camp and preseason go off without any hitches, fans will finally get a taste of the rivalry that dominated much of the previous decade answering who the best player in the league. 

Though most fans might say James took that crown as King, the Slim Reaper's two titles over Cleveland while Lebron was still a Cavalier might still hold more weight to others. 

Both James and superstar teammate Anthony Davis will have a chance to avenge their 2021 playoff loss to Phoenix under a previous iteration of the team with Chris Paul. 

Phoenix has shipped Paul and Mikal Bridges from that old roster out for Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant to pair with Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton in a new fearsome foursome in the West. 

Health permitting, we can't wait to see this rivalry restored, both with the individual talent on display and with these long standing divisional opponents!

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