Kevin Durant vs Russell Westbrook: A Breakdown of Their Previous 11 Meetings Ahead of Playoff Showdown

• Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have squared off 11 times before
• All of those 11 meetings have come in the regular season
• Westbrook holds a 6-5 advantage against Durant

History will be made in the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

For the first time in their legendary careers, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will face each other in the postseason.

Sports Brief looks at the former teammates’ previous 11 meetings in the NBA ahead of the first-round clash between the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers.

Durant wins (November 3, 2016)

All eyes were on Durant and Westbrook as they faced each other for the first time since the former made his blockbuster move to the Golden State Warriors.

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Durant dazzled in this encounter, scoring 39 points in the Warriors’ 122-96 rout of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was red-hot from beyond the arc, matching his career high with seven 3-pointers, per ESPN.

Westbrook was held to 20 points in this game after coming in as the league's leading scorer at 37.8 per contest.

Durant wins (January 18, 2017)

Durant again torched the Thunder, scoring a season-best 40 points in the Warriors’ 121-100 win. He shot 13 of 16 from the field, including 5 of 7 from beyond the arc.

Westbrook had a much better performance this time around, registering a triple-double with 27 points, 15 rebounds, and 13 assists.

Durant wins (February 11, 2017)

Durant made his much-anticipated return to Oklahoma City after his controversial move to Golden State. He was booed throughout the night as expected.

Durant didn’t let the jeering affect him, scoring 34 points in the Warriors’ 130-114 win. Westbrook tried his hardest to prevent Durant from gaining the win, finishing with 47 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists.

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Westbrook wins (November 22, 2017)

Westbrook finally got his first win against his former teammate, nearly recording a triple-double in Oklahoma City’s 108-91 victory.

The reigning MVP scored 34 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out nine assists against Golden State.

Durant finished with 21 points, five rebounds, and five assists in 33 minutes of action.

Westbrook wins (February 6, 2018)

Westbrook continued his fine play against the Warriors, recording 34 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists in Oklahoma City’s 125-105 win.

Durant scored 33 points on 8 of 14 shooting from the field. He committed five turnovers in the loss.

Durant wins (February 24, 2018)

Durant and the Warriors recorded their first win against the Thunder in the 2017-18 regular season, pulling off a commanding 112-80 victory. He scored 28 points and grabbed five rebounds in the win.

Westbrook struggled in this contest, shooting just 4 of 15 from the field. He finished with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists.

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Durant wins (April 3, 2018)

Durant helped Golden State nab a 111-107 road win, scoring 34 points and grabbing 10 minutes in 36 minutes of action.

Westbrook had a monster double-double in the loss, racking up 44 points and 16 rebounds. He also had six assists and two steals.

Westbrook wins (November 21, 2018)

Westbrook recorded his first triple-double of the 2018-19 regular season, scoring 11 points, grabbing 11 boards, and dishing out 13 assists in Oklahoma City’s 123-95 over Golden State.

Durant scored a season-best 27 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in the lopsided loss.

Westbrook wins (January 3, 2021)

Westbrook and Durant renewed their rivalry in the Eastern Conference, and it was a classic. Westbrook led Washington to a 123-122 win over Brooklyn, finishing with 24 points and 10 assists.

Durant could have won the game for the Nets, but he missed a jumper with 1.5 seconds left. He scored 28 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in the loss.

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Westbrook wins (January 31, 2021)

Westbrook and Durant put on a show in the Wizards’ thrilling 149-146 win over the Nets.

Westbrook scored 41 points, including a late 3-pointer that gave the Wizards the lead for good. He also had 10 rebounds and eight assists in the wild win.

Durant finished with 37 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in the heartbreaking loss.

Westbrook wins (November 13, 2022)

Westbrook extended his winning streak against Durant to four games after the Lakers beat the Nets 116-103. Westbrook provided some firepower off the bench, recording 14 points and 12 assists.

Durant led Brooklyn with 31 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.

Durant picks Embiid for MVP

Sports Brief recently reported on Durant’s pick for MVP this season.

The Phoenix Suns star picked Joel Embiid to take home the coveted award.

If Embiid wins the MVP award, he will become the first African-born player to accomplish the feat since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1994.