This may seem anecdotal, but it is the sign that we are opening a new chapter in the NBA: for the first time since 2006neither Kevin Durantneither Stephen Curry and neither Lebron James are not in the conference semifinals. For almost 20 years, we have found at least one of the three in the second round of the playoffs, and it is therefore a mini-event.
This series therefore began with LeBron James in 2006 under the colors of the Cavaliers. Then Kevin Durant took over in 2011 with his first playoff series won under the colors of the Thunder. Finally, Stephen Curry joined his two future teammates in selection in 2013 with the Warriors, and a qualification against the Nuggets.
LeBron James: two first round eliminations in 17 playoffs
In detail, that gives LeBron James thirteen consecutive qualifications in the conference semi-finals, from 2006 to 2018. In 2019, he missed the playoffs for his first season with the Lakers, but he made up for it the following season with his 4th title, in the Orlando “bubble”. Since this title, the Lakers have experienced two eliminations in the first round in 2021 and 2024, and one in the conference final in 2023. LeBron has never played as few matches in the playoffs as this season, with an elimination in five rounds.
For Kevin Durant, it's eight straight qualifications in the conference semi-finals, from 2011 to 2019. Injured Achilles tendon during the 2019 Finals, he returns to the playoffs and the conference semi-finals in 2021 with the Nets , then in 2023 with the Suns. In 2022 and 2024, the Nets and Suns went out in the first round.
Finally, Stephen Curry has a more chaotic journey, even though he has won four NBA titles. He played in five conference semi-finals in a row, from 2015 to 2019. Then the Warriors missed the playoffs two seasons in a row, in 2020 and 2021. Then, it was the conquest of a new title in 2022. Before elimination in the conference semi-finals in 2023, then a new season without playoffs in 2024.
