James and Durant have not faced each other since 2018

Unbelievable, but true. Since James joined the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2018-19 season, he faced Durant exactly once: a 127-101 Lakers victory over the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day 2018. James had a double-double in that game, scoring 17 and grabbing 13 rebounds, while Durant added a line of 21 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists.

Since then, due to injuries and other circumstances, James and Durant simply have not been able to be on the same court at the same time, whether the Lakers were playing the Warriors, Brooklyn Nets or Phoenix Suns. In all, that’s 12 games in which they could have faced each other but didn’t.

That could all change this Friday, when the Lakers host the Suns in the penultimate game of the season for both teams. Hopefully both will be active when the time comes.

James is doubtful with right foot discomfort. The Suns have not yet released an injury report, so Durant’s status is unknown.

James has played in six straight games since returning from his foot injury, including this week’s game against the Utah Jazz and Clippers. He finished with 37 points in 38 minutes in Tuesday’s win over the Jazz and 33 points in 35 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Clippers.

Durant also hasn’t missed a game since returning from his ankle injury, but played in Thursday’s 119-115 win over the Denver Nuggets. Given his injury history and Phoenix’s control over the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Durant had the night off.

James’ Lakers enter Friday’s action in seventh place in the West in playoff contention, but can still capture the No. 6 seed and avoid the playoff tournament if they win their final two games and the Warriors go 1-1 in their last two. The Warriors have away games remaining against the Sacramento Kings (Friday) and Portland Trail Blazers (Sunday).