The first-round matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets got off to a surprising start. Both teams were missing key players, as the Lakers were without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, while Kevin Durant was sidelined as well.
Los Angeles managed to win Game 1, 107-98, in front of the home crowd, and now all eyes are on Game 2 to see who will be healthy and whether Houston can even the series.
Lakers-Rockets Injury Updates Before Game 2: Latest on Kevin Durant, Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves
The Rockets and Lakers are still dealing with these key injuries heading into Game 2.
Dončić and Reaves have been ruled out for Game 2, and ESPN’s Shams Charania announced 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.”
Shams:
“The sense around the Lakers is that Austin Reaves is actually the one that’s further along than Luka Doncic in their respective rehab processes. I am told Austin Reaves has started 1 on 1 on court work. The Lakers are not expecting Luka Doncic to be back in this series.… pic.twitter.com/Yx4hrt8An8
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) April 21, 2026
As for the Rockets, Houston is “optimistic” that Durant may be able to return in Game 2, according to Charania. Durant is officially questionable and a game-time decision, and Sam Amick of The Athletic provided a promising update as well.
“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.
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.
There’s no telling whether Durant plans to play, but even if he does, there is a good chance he might not be at his best. It’s also possible he would be on a minutes restriction.
The Lakers have a golden opportunity to take a 2-0 lead despite being handed one of the worst possible injury troubles before the playoffs.
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.
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.
