The Houston Rockets thought they had an easy first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. However, losing Kevin Durant for Game 1 evened the odds against a Lakers team without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
Here’s everything you need to know Durant’s status for Tuesday’s Game 2 clash.
Latest Kevin Durant Injury Update Ahead of Game 2 of Rockets-Lakers
UPDATE: Durant is officially active and will play tonight against the Lakers.
Durant is currently dealing with a right knee contusion sustained in practice. He is officially a game-time decision for Game 2, but the Rockets are hopeful that he’ll be able to play.
This lines up with what Sam Amick of The Athletic reported on Tuesday afternoon.
“Kevin didn’t speak to media at today’s UCLA shootaround, but – from talking to Rockets folks in the building – there is still a fair amount of optimism that he’ll give it a go tonight,” Amick wrote.
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka had previously stated that he hoped Durant’s absence would just be a one-game issue.
Aside from Durant, the Rockets are without Fred VanVleet (torn ACL) and Stephen Adams (left ankle surgery), who are both out for the season. Houston has been without VanVleet and Adams for months.
Durant averaged 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.4 3s, 0.9 blocks, and 0.8 steals during the regular season, while shooting 52% from the field and 41.3% from 3-point range.
Even if Durant does come back for Game 2, it’s fair to question whether he will be at full strength or on a minutes restriction. This is a critical Game 2 for the Rockets, as being down 1-0 to the Lakers without Dončić and Reaves is a bad look.
As for the Lakers’ injuries, Dončić and Reaves have been ruled out for Game 2, and ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Luka isn’t expected to return at any point during the first-round series.
“The sense around the Lakers is that Austin Reaves is actually the one that’s further along than Luka Dončić in their respective rehab processes,” Charania said.
“I am told Austin Reaves has started 1-on-1 on-court work… The Lakers are not expecting Luka Dončić to be back in this series. He is out indefinitely.”
In 64 regular-season games this season, Dončić averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game, while shooting 47.6% from the floor and 36.6% from beyond the 3-point arc.
Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists across 51 appearances, while shooting 49.0% from the floor, 36.0% from beyond the 3-point arc, and 87.1% from the free-throw line.
