Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid Exchange Heated Words in Nets vs. 76ers Game; LeBron James Reacts to Squabble

NBA fans are drooling for a seven-game series between the Brooklyn Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers because of their growing rivalry.

The playoff series many want to see will feature some intriguing storylines, from James Harden facing off against his former team to Ben Simmon and the tense relationship with the Philly fans after forcing his way out. But the plot that outshines all is the elite battle on the court between Joel Embiid and Kevin Durant.

On Thursday night's game, the two stars went back and forth, bucket for bucket, in a tense opening quarter that saw Embiid pour in 16 points and Durant 11 points. However, the Brooklyn Nets took control, ending it on a 14-2 run to grab a 40-23 lead.

Durant drew an offensive foul on Embiid near the rim with just over a minute left in the first, and the two traded heated words, with the game taking on a playoff atmosphere from the jump.

Even Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James weighed in on the budding rivalry between Embiid and Durant.

"I love that the refs let KD and JE talk that talk to each other and didn't TECH them up! That's DOPE!! Understanding the assignment," James tweeted.

Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid Respect Each Other

Both Joel Embiid and Kevin Durant have been among the NBA's greatest players this season, and this was not their first run-in for them. It dated back to their last match-up in December.

After Embiid dropped 34 points, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 110-102 victory over the Nets in Brooklyn, the big man waived Durant off his home court, and the pair exchanged words as the final buzzer rang.

After the game, Durant said that Embiid did not really say anything. However, he added that they respect each other so much that "natural competitive fire comes out."

While the two stars share a similar competitive drive on the court, they have a healthy respect for one another.

"If there was one player that I think is probably more talented than me, it's definitely [Durant]... I have a lot of respect for him," the Cameroonian player said following their December matchup.

Entering Thursday's game in Philadelphia, Durant had nothing but praises for Joel Embiid, saying that "he's really unstoppable."

Brooklyn Nets Delivers Robust Win Over The Undefeated Philadelphia 76ers

Since last month's colossal trade involving James Harden and Ben Simmons, the Brooklyn Nets went into Philadelphia to deliver a robust 129-100 win over the 76ers, CBS Sports reported.

The Nets came out firing and never trailed, putting a thud on the 76ers, who had gone undefeated since acquiring Harden. Before the game, the former home crowd booed Simmons, who did not play. But it later turned its wrath on its own squad due to the disappointing performance.

Kevin Durant led the Nets with 25 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists in 32 minutes, while Seth Curry, who was also part of the Harden/Simmons trade, scorched his old team for 24 points on 10-for-14 shooting.

Kyrie Irving chipped in with 22 points on 5-for-11 shooting. Harden's first game against the Nets after the trade did not go well for him, as he finished just 3 for 17 from the field en route to 11 points, six rebounds, five assists, and four turnovers.

Joel Embiid did everything he could in 30 minutes, scoring 27 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, but it was not near enough.

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Written by: Jess Smith

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