The Los Angeles Lakers are dealing with some big-time injury issues entering their first-round series against the Houston Rockets.
Lakers stars Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves are both sidelined, but suddenly the Rockets are dealing with a concerning injury of their own as Kevin Durant was late addition to the injury report with a right knee contusion.
What’s the latest on Durant, and will the Lakers have either Dončić or Reaves play at any point in this series?
Kevin Durant Ruled Out for Game 1 of Lakers-Rockets
In a stunning turn of events, Durant has been ruled out for Game 1 between the Lakers and Rockets. The superstar forward was added to the injury report on Friday evening with a right knee contusion, and while some initially thought it was gamesmanship, he was officially ruled out on Saturday evening.
It remains to be seen if this injury will just sideline Durant for Game 1 or if his status is also up in the air for Game 2 and beyond.
“Hopefully it’s a one-game thing,” Rockets head coach Ime Udoka told reporters in a rather concerning statement.
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 huge 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.
Lakers Face Serious Injury Concerns Entering Rockets First-Round Series
Back on April 2, Dončić and Reaves suffered Grade 2 strains in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Dončić grabbed his left hamstring midway through the third quarter and collapsed on the court in Oklahoma City, while Reaves hurt his oblique.
Will Dončić and Reaves be back at some point during Round 1?
According to Lakers insider Jovan Buha, there’s “a chance” that the Slovenian guard returns at some point in the first round.
“They’ve not given an official timetable. They just said he was out for the regular season. 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.
“So with him, typically a grade two 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
This is certainly a promising update for Dončić, as the previous expectation was that he would be ruled out for the entirety of the series. If the Lakers can extend this series to six or seven games, perhaps he has a chance to make a triumphant return.
Reaves, on the other hand, is expected to miss the entirety of the first round.
Marcus Smart missed eight-straight toward the end of the regular season with a right ankle injury, but he returned for two contests late in the regular season and looks good to go for Game 1.
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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.
Without Dončić and Reaves in the Lakers’ lineup, LeBron James will be under additional pressure to pick up the slack. Lakers coach JJ Redick has said that it will be all hands on deck while also noting that role players like Smart, Deandre Ayton, and even Bronny James will need to step up and play an increased role given the injuries.
