The Rivalry That Didn’t Happen This Season: Curry Vs LeBron
A Rare Missed Matchup
This season saw zero matchups between Curry and James, a rare occurrence given their history. Their last meeting came on April 4, 2025, when the Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, with Curry scoring 37 points and James adding 33.
Lebron on not playing against Steph tonight:
“We both didn’t even realize it until I guess today. We don’t know what the future holds and if we get the opportunity to play against each other…it’s always a pleasure and it’s always an honor just to be in his presence to be on… pic.twitter.com/iCdNSbIxaP
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) April 10, 2026
A combination of injuries and timing played a major role in their absence this season. James missed the first matchup due to sciatica, which sidelined him for several weeks. Later in the season, Curry was unavailable for two encounters due to a knee injury. That injury made him sit out the final matchup as part of his recovery and preparation for the postseason.
With both multi-time All-Stars nearing the latter stages of their careers and retirement rumors circulating, it is disappointing that fans did not see this legendary matchup possibly for the final time.
A Rivalry That Defined An Era
The rivalry between Curry and James has spanned 17 seasons and helped define the modern era of the NBA. Across that time, both players have built legacies that place them among the greatest of all time. From the most three-pointers in NBA history to the all-time scoring record, the two Akron, Ohio natives have each left a lasting mark on the game for generations.
Yet it’s the intensity of their matchups that has truly captivated NBA fans around the world. They have faced each other 27 times in the regular season and 28 times in the playoffs, with Curry holding a slight edge in the head-to-head record. With James having completed a record 23 seasons in the NBA, it is becoming increasingly difficult to predict how many more opportunities there will be for the two to face off again.
What Comes Next?
A season without Curry facing James does feel unusual. But it also puts into perspective that even the greatest rivalries do not last forever. Injuries, rest, and the demands of a long season have already shown how easily these moments can be missed.
For Curry, being the cornerstone for the Warriors for nearly two decades has inevitably taken its toll, impacting both his availability and durability in recent seasons. While reports suggest the 38-year-old may still have a few seasons left, much will depend on whether Golden State can build a strong enough team between now and then to help secure Curry’s fifth ring.
Whereas for James, the future appears even more uncertain. At 41 years old, retirement is an increasingly realistic probability for the 22-time All-Star. Throughout the season, there have been recurring rumors about this potentially being his final year. There have also been suggestions of a possible move to the Warriors to end his career alongside Curry rather than against him.
There is still a slim chance the two greats could meet in the postseason, but that depends on both teams making it to the Western Conference semi-finals. This is a long shot, especially for the Warriors this season.
So predicting what comes next is difficult, as the future of their rivalry remains unclear. Will it continue on opposing sides, or take an expected turn into a dream partnership? Where does the next chapter between Curry and James go from here?
Featured Image: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
