Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook to 'compete' against each other for first time in playoffs

Kevin Durant has been here before.

This will mark his 12th postseason run that has experienced everything from stunning wins, crushing defeats, four finals appearances and back-to-back NBA championships.

There are two major difference this time.

One, Durant is with a new team as he joined the Phoenix Suns right before the trade deadline.

Two, he’s facing his former Thunder teammate, Russell Westbrook, for the first time ever in the playoffs.

“It’s always good playing against Hall of Famers, some of the best players to ever touch the court,” Durant said after Wednesday’s practice.

“That’s what you get with Russ (Westbrook) and Kawhi (Leonard) out there. Guys that you’ve seen grow up in the league and still playing elite ball in their what 12^th, 13^th, 14^th, 15^th year. These dudes are getting old. To get an opportunity to compete against the best is always fun. It’s something that you just store away and talk about when you’re done playing against the best players. It’s going to be fun.”

The Suns and Clippers open the best-of-7 series Sunday at 5 p.m., at Footprint Center in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.

“I think people still think there is some beef or something,” a smiling Westbrook said to a group of reporters Wednesday in Los Angeles. “There’s no beef of any sort. I think that’s the good narrative for media, for people to talk about, but there’s no beef. I got nothing, but respect for him and what’s he’s done in his career.”

Westbrook said he’s happy Durant has returned from injury as Durant missed two months with a right MCL sprain and three weeks with a left ankle sprain this season. He’s only played eight games with the Suns, but they are unbeaten with him in the lineup.

“There’s no beef at all, but he knows I’m going to compete and I know he’s going to compete and that’s all it is.”

The two NBA 75 selections have faced each other 11 times total in the regular season with Westbrook holding a 6-5 advantage. Those battles the first season (2016-17) after Durant left the Thunder for Golden State were must-see television, especially Durant’s return in OKC in February 2017.

Time has passed, but their competitive nature hasn’t wavered and will be on full display in this first postseason matchup between the two.

“I think Russ is competitive against any player he plays against,” Durant said when asked about the first matchup with Westbrook.

“I don’t think it was just specific to me. I think a lot of the fans and the people that were watching, it was high intensity for them. It was entertainment for them. For us players, it’s just another game, regularly scheduled programming but Russ is that way. I played with him for so long and watched him for so long. He was that way against everybody. I don’t think he’s any different.”

Their exciting eight-year journey together and explosive departure fueled their beef narrative.

Durant and Westbrook had already led Oklahoma City to the 2012 NBA finals and were one of the best duos in NBA history.

“You look back in the day at those series and kind of what could’ve been, but definitely not as much,” Westbrook said. “Probably when I’m done playing, I’ll probably reflect on it a lot more.”

Then the Warriors eliminated the Thunder in seven games in the 2016 Western Conference finals after OKC built a 3-1 series lead.

Durant was an unrestricted free agent after the 2015-16 season. He chose to join Golden State via free agency, a move that led to a bad breakup between him and Westbrook.

Their first meeting was in Golden State the following season.

The Warriors won easily, 122-96, Nov. 3, 2016, with Durant scoring a game-high 39 points, but he and Westbrook didn’t talk before or after the game.

There was certainly more interaction in the rematch in OKC.

During the second half, Westbrook shouted “I’m coming, I’m coming” at Durant as both teams headed to the bench during a timeout.

Westbrook scored 47, grabbed 11 rebounds and had eight assists to 11 turnovers, the Thunder fans vehemently booed Durant, but the Warriors won again, 130-114, Feb. 11, 2017, at OKC.

Durant posted 34 points, nine rebounds and three assists to three turnovers in the win.

They last met Jan. 31, 2021, when Durant was with the Nets and Westbrook played for the Wizards.

Brooklyn lost, 149-146, in Washington, D.C. as Westbrook went for 41 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists to three turnovers and Durant chalked up 37 points, seven rebounds and six assists to five turnovers.

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Durant, Westbrook set to face each other for first time in postseason