NBA 2023 Playoffs: Steph Curry vs LeBron James - Head-to-head record, postseason stats, how to watch Warriors take on Lakers
The two former NBA MVPs will reignite the modern-day basketball GOAT debate when the Golden State Warriors meet the Los Angeles Lakers for a spot in the Western Conference final. Discover James and Curry’s storied history, playoff stats, head-to-head record and more.
Basketball
The 2023 NBA postseason has delivered a match-up for the ages with basketball giants Stephen Curry and LeBron James set to go head-to-head in the Western Conference semi-finals.
That's after the Golden State Warriors defeated the Sacramento Kings in Game 7 to set up a clash with James' Los Angeles Lakers.
After slipping 0-2 in their first-round series against the Kings, the Warriors battled back to take it 4-3. It was a feat topped by Curry's stunning 50-point performance which set a new record for most points scored by a single player in a Game 7.
Curry’s clutch outing now means the sixth-seeded reigning NBA champions will take on the seventh-seeded Lakers who put out the Memphis Grizzlies 4-2.
The prospect of a semi-final showdown that will pit former NBA MVPs Curry and James against each other has fans rippling with excitement.
With NBA all-time leading points scorer James 37 and Curry 35, this could be the last time their paths cross in the playoffs.
It will be the sixth time that the pair - who were both born in Akron, Ohio - have met outside of the regular season with four of their encounters coming in the NBA Finals from 2015-2018 when James was with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
After Golden State made it three titles out of four in 2018, James joined the Lakers following his eighth consecutive NBA Finals appearance. He faced Curry and the Warriors in a play-in game in the COVID-disrupted 2021 season with the Lakers winning 103-100.
This is the dream duel NBA fans have been waiting for. Here's what you need to know ahead of the series start.
Golden States Warriors v LA Lakers: 2023 NBA regular season results
When the Warriors and Lakers take to the floor on Tuesday, it will be their first postseason meeting for 32 years.
In the history of the NBA playoffs, the Warriors and Lakers have met seven times with Los Angeles coming out on top 4-1 in that last series in 1991.
For a more recent indication of how the series might unfold, this year's regular season results seems to point the way of the Lakers winning three of the four match-ups:
- October 18 2022: Warriors 123-109 Lakers
- February 11 2023: Warriors 103-109 Lakers
- February 23 2023: Lakers 124-111 Warriors
- March 5 2023: Lakers 113-105 Warriors
Lebron James vs Steph Curry: History of playoff matchups
James and Curry typically set the floor alight when the two meet a 10-10 head-to-head in the regular season.
In the postseason, however, it is Curry that has the upper hand with a 15-7 advantage over James.
- 2015 NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors win 4-2 over Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2016 NBA Finals: Cavaliers win 4-3 over Warriors
- 2017 NBA Finals: Warriors win 4-1 over Cavaliers
- 2018 NBA Finals: Warriors win 4-0 over Cavaliers
- 2021 NBA Play-In Games: LA Lakers defeat Warriors 103-100
Steph Curry vs LeBron James: Head-to-Head
LeBron James 2023 NBA Playoff Stats
Despite being limited to just 55 games in his 20th regular season, James was still able to produce some of his best basketball.
With averages of 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists the two-time Olympic champion overtook Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading points scorer and earned his 19th All-Star selection.
This is James' 16th postseason appearance after the Lakers missed out on the playoffs last year.
- Games played: 6
- Minutes per game: 37.2
- Points per game: 22.2
- Rebounds per game: 11.2
- Assists per game: 5.2
- Steals per game: 1.0
- Blocks per game: 1.3
Steph Curry 2023 NBA Playoff Stats
Like James, Curry's regular season appearances were restricted by injuries as he played a total of 60 games.
But when he was out on the floor, the five-time Western Conference champion managed to keep pace with James averaging 29.4 points, 6.3 assists and 6.1 rebounds a game and earning a ninth All-Star appearance.
Curry first made the playoffs with the Golden State Warriors in the 2012-13 season and has since returned nine times.
- Games played: 7
- Minutes per game: 39.1
- Points per game: 33.7
- Rebounds per game: 4.9
- Assists per game: 4.9
- Steals per game: 0.9
- Blocks per game: 0.4
2023 NBA Playoffs Warriors vs Lakers: Schedule and where to watch
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