Get your popcorn ready, folks. It's time for another LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry showdown.
The two superstars have faced off four times in the NBA Playoffs, but this matchup will be a little different. Why? Their previous battles came when James was still in the Eastern Conference. Now that he is in the Western Conference, this will mark the first time they've gone head-to-head in the playoffs before the Finals.
Los Angeles and Golden State had up-and-down regular seasons, but both teams are peaking at the right time. The new-look Lakers upset the Grizzlies in the first round, while the Warriors bounced back from a 2-0 deficit to take down the higher-seeded Kings.
On the line is a trip to the Western Conference Finals. The winner will face Nikola Jokic's Nuggets or Devin Booker and Kevin Durant's Suns.
Do the Lakers or Warriors have the edge? Here's everything you need to know about the series.
MORE: Stats prove 'Playoff Jimmy' is the new 'Playoff Rondo'
Warriors vs. Lakers odds
The Warriors enter their series with the Lakers as favorites.
| Warriors | Lakers | |
| Moneyline | -160 | +130 |
Check BetMGM for the full market.
Warriors vs. Lakers schedule
Here is the complete schedule for the second-round series between Los Angeles and Golden State including the start times and tv channels:
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| May 2 | Game 1 | 10 p.m. | TNT |
| May 4 | Game 2 | 9 p.m. | ESPN |
| May 6 | Game 3 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| May 8 | Game 4 | 10 p.m. | TNT |
| May 10 | Game 5* | TBD | TNT |
| May 12 | Game 6* | TBD | ESPN |
| May 14 | Game 7* | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
Warriors vs. Lakers 2022-23 regular season series
The Lakers won three of four games against the Warriors in the regular season. Here's the result of each game:
- Oct. 18, 2022: Warriors 123, Lakers 109
- Feb. 11, 2023: Lakers 109, Warriors 103
- Feb. 23, 2023: Lakers 124, Warriors 111
- March 5, 2023: Lakers 113, Warriors 105
The Lakers won the season series despite James being limited to two games. Dennis Schroder led the Lakers in their win on Feb. 11 with a team-best 26 points. Anthony Davis then dominated the team's March 5 win with 39 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
39 points
— NBA (@NBA) March 5, 2023
8 rebounds
6 assists
Anthony Davis showed OUT in the Lakers W 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/Rl7egqPjvr
Like James, Curry appeared in only two of the four games. His best performance came in Golden State's season-opening win when he went for 33 points, seven assists and four steals.
Warriors vs. Lakers key storyline: LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry back on the big stage
What else were you expecting?
Despite both being in their late 30s, James and Curry are still two of the NBA's best players and biggest stars. James landed in eighth place in our most recent player rankings, while Curry finished third behind only Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Injuries limited James to 55 games in his 20th season, but he once again played at an All-NBA level with averages of 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists. Curry was also limited to less than 60 games, but he posted some of the best numbers of his career: 29.4 points, 6.3 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game.
For a while, Curry's season was on par with the one he was named the first unanimous MVP in NBA history.
The two have plenty of history having faced each other in the Finals in four straight seasons. Even so, you shouldn't take any matchup between James and Curry for granted, especially while they're still playing at this level.
Since 2018, they've both played in only eight of a possible 18 games against each other because of — you guessed it — injuries.
| Stat | LeBron James | Stephen Curry |
| Wins | 10 | 10 |
| PPG | 28.8 | 22.3 |
| RPG | 9.0 | 4.2 |
| APG | 6.3 | 6.5 |
| FG% | 51.2 | 45.5 |
| 3PT% | 36.1 | 39.1 |
| FT% | 68.4 | 92.4 |
Both of their legacies are set at this point, but James and Curry enter the series with four championships each. Another ring for James would close the biggest gap Michael Jordan has on him in the NBA's GOAT debate. One more for Curry would tie him with Magic Johnson, who is his biggest competition in the GOAT point guard debate.
As nauseating as the legacy talk can get at times, there's no denying James and Curry still have plenty to play for.
Warriors vs. Lakers predictions
Leandro Fernandez: Warriors in six games
Steph Noh: Warriors in six games
Scott Rafferty: Warriors in six games
Gilbert McGregor: Warriors in six games
Carlan Gay: Warriors in seven games
Sergio Rabinal: Lakers in six games
