Postgame Interaction Between LeBron James and Kevin Durant Goes Viral

The anticipation surrounding what many believed could be the final head-to-head playoff series between LeBron Jamesand Kevin Durant was palpable.

However, Durant appeared in just one of the six games due to multiple injuries sustained in the week leading up to Game 1 - first a knee injury, then an ankle injury suffered during pregame ahead of Game 3.

Nonetheless, the Lakers closed out the series on Friday night with a 98–78 win over the Rockets, and despite being sidelined, Durant was one of the first to greet James at midcourt after the final buzzer.

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“It's a shame that KD only played one game this series,” a fan said.

Someone else added, “Rivalry on the court, respect off it… that's how it's supposed to be.”

Another person wrote, “LeBron x Durant. Nothing but respect.”

“It's really a shame that what was probably their final showdown ended this way,” one more fan commented.

James is 41 years old, while Durant is 37, making the possibility that this could be their final postseason meeting feel far from far-fetched.

Durant is under contract with Houston through the 2027–28 season, while James is set to enter unrestricted free agency this summer, where multiple paths remain on the table - whether that means re-signing with the Lakers, joining another team to close out his career, or even potentially retiring.

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This story was originally published May 2, 2026 at 12:24 PM.