Stephen Curry & Kevin Durant’s Quiet Battle to Upstage the Other in 2018 Finals MVP Race: Reveals Former Teammate

Nick Young believed that Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant were both eyeing the Finals MVP award.

Stephen Curry & Kevin Durant’s Quiet Battle to Upstage the Other in 2018 Finals MVP Race: Reveals Former Teammate

Nick Young on Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant (Image credits - Firstsportz)

Both Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant are coming off average 2025-26 campaigns by their lofty standards. The two may be at the backend of their illustrious careers, but they have shown that they still remain competitive and want to win.

When Durant decided to join Curry in the 2016 offseason, the Golden State Warriors turned into a juggernaut. The Warriors were coming off two consecutive NBA Finals appearances and finished 73-9 in the 2015-16 regular season.

After beating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2017 NBA Finals, they faced off once again in the Finals in 2018. Both Durant and Curry impressed in the 2018 NBA Finals, and their former teammate Nick Young revealed that both superstars were fighting over the Finals MVP award.

Steph and KD was fighting over Finals MVP… You could tell they both was trying to get it without saying they trying to get it.

Nick Young in a Bleacher Report interview

Many pundits argue that Kevin Durant was the best player on the Warriors as he won both Finals MVP awards in 2017 and 2018. However, some argue that the most important player and the engine of their offense was Stephen Curry.

Durant is undoubtedly one of the toughest players to guard against due to his offensive arsenal, while Curry dominates through his elite shooting and has cemented himself as one of the greatest to ever do it.

Both players posted incredible numbers in the 2018 Finals as they clean swept the Cavs. Over the four games, Durant averaged 28.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists, while Curry averaged 27.5 points, 6.8 assists, and six rebounds. However, Durant’s game-winning performance in Game 3 sealed Durant’s name for the Finals MVP award.

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Stephen Curry validated his legacy after winning in 2022

Stephen Curry revolutionized the game of basketball with his three-point shooting. After Kevin Durant left the Warriors after his three-year stint, Curry had three championships but no Finals MVP awards to his name.

Andre Iguodala was named as the Finals MVP when the Warriors dynasty began in 2015, and Durant went on to win the next two. Hence, many questioned Curry’s legacy if he could be an all-time great without a Finals MVP award.

Stephen Curry's heroics will not be enough this season
Stephen Curry (Image via Barstool Sports/X)

All of that changed in 2022. After a couple of difficult seasons following Durant’s departure, the Warriors, led by Curry, hit back at their critics. The 38-year-old was flawless throughout the postseason that year and finally won the Finals MVP award for his performances.

The championship in 2022 led many to believe that Curry had even surpassed Durant in the all-time list. Curry won a championship before and after Durant’s spell with the Dubs, while the two-time champion cannot say the same.

Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry will be looking to bounce back in the 2026-27 season

Both Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant are still very elite players. They may not be the players they once were, but they have shown that they can still perform at a high level at their current age.

Durant’s playoff career has taken a huge hit since his departure from the Warriors in 2019. He has played for three different franchises but has won just two playoff series in six years.

In the regular season, Durant averaged 26 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 78 appearances. Meanwhile, Curry struggled with injuries and averaged 26.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 43 appearances.

The Warriors failed to make it to the playoffs after getting knocked out in the Play-In Tournament, while Durant made only one appearance for the Houston Rockets in the playoffs as they were eliminated by the Los Angeles Lakers in six games in the first round.

Both players will be hoping for a much better 2026-27 campaign as their respective teams bolster their squads in the offseason. With Curry at 38 and Durant at 37, their championship window gets smaller with every passing year.

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