Injuries have been the main storyline entering the Houston Rockets’ first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers. Initially, the focus was on the Lakers’ injuries since they are currently without stars Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
However, in a stunning turn of events, Houston will also be without arguably their best player in Game 1 on Saturday evening, as Kevin Durant has been ruled out after being a last-minute addition to the injury report.
Kevin Durant Injury Update: Latest on the Rockets Superstar and How He Got Hurt
Durant was added to the injury report on Friday evening with a right knee contusion, and while some initially thought it was gamesmanship, the superstar forward was officially ruled out for Game 1 on Saturday evening.
ESPN revealed that Durant suffered the injury during practice this week.
“Hopefully it’s a one-game thing,” Rockets head coach Ime Udoka told reporters in a rather concerning statement.
Udoka added that he hit his knee “in an awkward spot” and while imaging showed “nothing major,” he’s having trouble bending it certain ways and it’s “very tender.”
Durant will surely aim to play in Game 2, but even if he can suit up, it remains to be seen how effective he’ll be or if he’ll be on a minutes restriction.
This is a massive break for the depleted Lakers, as 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.
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.
Will Luka Dončić or Austin Reaves Play in the Lakers-Rockets Series?
As for the Lakers, Dončić and Reaves suffered Grade 2 strains against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2. Dončić injured his left hamstring, while Reaves hurt his oblique.
According to Lakers insider Jovan Buha, there’s “a chance” that Dončić could return at some point in the first round.
“They’ve not given an official timetable. They just said he was out for the regular season,” Buha said. “Then, he went overseas to Spain to get some treatment that maybe isn’t given in the United States. So, he just came back to LA today actually and rejoined the team and will be there tomorrow for Game 1.
“Typically, a Grade 2 hamstring is about three-to-six weeks, so there’s a chance maybe he comes back in the middle of the series, but also with hamstring you got to be careful.”
.@jovanbuha says there’s a chance @lukadoncic returns in the middle of the 1st round for @Lakers‘ match up against @HoustonRockets.
He says @nuggets and @celtics are teams to look for in the @nba playoffs but @okcthunder are still the “clear favorites” to repeat as champions. pic.twitter.com/JOubRKH1t3
— Elex Michaelson (@Elex_Michaelson) April 18, 2026
Reaves, on the other hand, is expected to miss the entirety of the first round.
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.
Game 1 between the Lakers and Rockets tips off on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
