Westbrook Addresses Relationship With Durant Ahead of First Playoff Showdown

• Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant will face each other in the postseason for the first time
• Westbrook told reporters he has no beef with his former teammate
• They played together in Oklahoma City for eight seasons before splitting in 2016 

One of the intriguing storylines in this year’s Western Conference Playoffs is the much-anticipated showdown between Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.

The former teammates will face each other for the first time in a playoff setting.

Westbrook talked to reporters about the state of his relationship with Durant ahead of their matchup.

The Los Angeles Clippers star made it clear that there is no animosity between the two of them, saying:

"It will be normal for me. I think people still think like there's some beef or something. There's no beef of any [kind], so I think that's the good narrative for media, for people to talk about.

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Westbrook added that he got nothing but respect for Durant and the things “he has done with his career."

Oklahoma City's former dynamic duo

Westbrook and Durant played together in Oklahoma City for eight seasons, with the two superstars enjoying plenty of success during their time with the Thunder, per ESPN.

They made the playoffs in six straight seasons and advanced four times to the Western Conference Finals. Westbrook and Durant led Oklahoma City to the NBA Finals in 2012, where the Miami Heat defeated them in five games.

They have faced each other 11 times since they parted ways in 2016, with Westbrook's teams going 6-5 against Durant's teams in the regular season. 

Durant averaged 32 points in those 11 meetings. Westbrook stuffed the stat sheet in his matchups with Durant, averaging 28.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 9.5 assists.

The Clippers will take that kind of production from Westbrook, with Paul George still sidelined because of a knee injury.

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Westbrook and Durant's 11 matchups

Sports Brief recently reported on Westbrook and Durant’s previous encounters.

Westbrook led the head-to-head matchup after his teams won the last four meetings.

Interestingly, Westbrook grabbed those wins with three different teams. He defeated Durant as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Washington Wizards, and Los Angeles Lakers.