For the first time since his break with the OKC Thunder, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant will meet in the NBA playoffs. The LA Clippers will play the Phoenix Suns in a best-of-seven first-round series beginning Sunday. It’s been seven years since both players went their separate ways, and the league is curious how their matchup will pan out.
When Durant decided to leave Westbrook and the OKC Thunder, their relationship wasn’t exactly the best. Every time the two superstars faced each other, they somehow became too competitive with each other. Considering that KD and Russ will meet this time in the playoffs, everyone assumes a heated battle is coming.
However, Westbrook denied everyone’s thoughts on their upcoming matchup:
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“There is no beef. I have nothing but respect for him and the things he has done. There is no beef at all.”
Can Russell Westbrook beat Kevin Durant in the first round?
Since joining the LA Clippers, Russell Westbrook has been able to play on his own terms again. He even showed shades of his MVP level of play on March 29 against the Memphis Grizzlies when Russ led the Clippers to a win without Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. However, playing at the same level in the playoffs is a completely different story.
When the LA Clippers play the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, LA seems to be at a disadvantage. George is still sidelined and will likely miss the first round of the playoffs. With that in mind, it will be Leonard and Russell Westbrook who will take on Kevin Durant and the superteam Suns.
On paper, it looks like Phoenix will win the series. However, the Suns have a history of suffocating at crucial times in the postseason. Durant is the most sensible player they have on the roster.
Considering the possibility of Phoenix failing in a few games, Leonard and Westbrook have still delivered the upset in the series.