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The Houston Rockets will be without one of their All-Stars as they face a potential sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.
Kevin Durant is not expected to suit up for the Rockets in Game 4 of the team’s first-round series with the Lakers, according to ESPN.
Durant is out for his second straight game after suffering a sprained left ankle. He was also diagnosed with a bone bruise in his ankle, further tests revealed.
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Kevin Durant of the Houston Rockets reacts during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on January 15, 2026. (Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
This injury is usually a two to three week recovery timeline, ESPN added after speaking with sources. Houston has tried “around-the-clock treatment” for Durant just to get him on the court, but doctors have not cleared him to play.
Durant’s injury occurred during the second half of Tuesday’s Game 2 loss to the Lakers, 101-94. Durant was slow to get off the court and swelling set in in the following days, forcing him to miss Game 3.
After discovering the bone bruise, the Rockets understood why Durant had additional swelling and stiffness in the ankle compared to a regular sprain, according to ESPN.
Still, Durant is helping his teammates in the film room as they went over their game against the Lakers ahead of a win-or-go-home scenario Sunday night. Durant was also at the Rockets’ facility to get his treatment done.
Houston Rockets C Alperen Sengun and wing Kevin Durant sit on the bench against the Los Angeles Lakers during Game 1 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. (Kirby Lee (Imagn Images))
While Durant had been healthy throughout his first year with the Rockets, this postseason has been a disaster so far. He missed Game 1 due to a right knee contusion sustained in practice. It was described as a “tender” bruise in an “awkward spot” above his knee, severely limiting his ability to move.
The Lakers went on to win Game 1, 107-98, but Durant was able to suit up for Game 2. But after knocking down seven of his 12 jumpers and eight of his nine free throws for 23 points in 41 minutes, his injury came late in the second half and he hasn’t seen the court since.
Meanwhile, LeBron James, who has been without his key teammates Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves so far this series, has led the way for Los Angeles to a stunning 3-0 start in this series.
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant looks on during overtime against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pa., on Jan. 22, 2026. (Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)
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The Lakers are hoping they won’t have to return to Los Angeles for a Game 5 in this series, which would give everyone, including those injured on their bench, a chance to make it right for the next series if they can get the job done Sunday night.
Houston will once again look to players like Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Şengün to keep the season alive.
