When Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant joined forces a decade ago, they formed one of the most devastating scoring duos in NBA history. At 28 years old, both were former MVPs and scoring champions, leading the Golden State Warriors to a 20-3 start in the 2016-17 season. Critics quickly labeled the pairing unfair as the team appeared poised to build a dynasty rivaling Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls.
However, the partnership ended sooner than expected. After winning two championships and suffering a torn Achilles tendon, Durant left the Bay Area to join the Brooklyn Nets, while Curry remained a single-franchise icon in Golden State. Despite the split, both players have maintained elite performance well beyond what analysts typically predict for athletes in their late 30s.
Curry and Durant are set to face off on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. ET, marking the first meeting of the season between the Warriors and the Houston Rockets. This matchup serves as a de facto anniversary of their initial collaboration, offering a chance to appreciate their sustained excellence ten years later.
Curry is currently averaging 30.6 points per game while shooting 45.6% from three-point range. His current volume and efficiency match only one season in NBA history, which was his own unanimous MVP campaign in 2015-16. Warriors coach Steve Kerr attributes Curry's durability to a combination of strong genetics and rigorous conditioning. "Work ethic and good genes," Kerr said. "[Curry] has been blessed with a body that has held up. But he's also earned that through his strength training, his conditioning, [and] his fitness level is just off the charts."
A notable shift in Curry's game is the increase in assisted shots. While 55% of his threes were assisted during his 2016 MVP season, that figure has risen to a career-high 74% this year. He has traded some self-created off-the-dribble shots for catch-and-shoot attempts, a change that has helped him maintain efficiency. His current player efficiency rating of 33.9 far surpasses the age-38 marks of legends like LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tim Duncan, and Michael Jordan.
Meanwhile, Durant's career has seen more movement, including stints with the Nets and Suns before his current role with the Rockets. Since his Achilles injury during the 2019 Finals, the 16-time All-Star has not returned to the conference finals. Nevertheless, he has achieved the most successful comeback from that injury in league history. Last season, he earned All-NBA second-team honors, averaging 26 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists.
Durant's scoring prowess remains a cornerstone of his late-career success. He narrowly missed a 50/40/90 shooting season in 2025-26. His player efficiency rating of 21.1 last year ranked third all-time among forwards at age 37, behind only LeBron James and Karl Malone. Houston has reduced his playing time this season to foster a more balanced offense, yet he continues to average 21.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.
Durant is currently 5,559 points behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the second-highest all-time scoring total in NBA history. To close that gap, he would need to average 20 points per game over approximately 280 additional games. If he maintains his current pace and stays healthy, he could potentially surpass Abdul-Jabbar during his age-42 season. Even if that milestone is not reached, he is on track to overtake Karl Malone for third place by the end of his current contract after the 2027-28 season.
As both teams look toward the future, the Warriors aim for another deep playoff run, while the Rockets have built a young roster around Durant to pursue their own ambitions. Although the end of their careers is approaching, it is not yet in sight, and their continued presence at the highest level remains a testament to their exceptional staying power.
