Health will undoubtedly be on the Houston Rockets’ side heading into their first-round NBA playoff game against the Los Angeles Lakers, but they added a curious addition to their injury report on Friday.
Kevin Durant is ruled out for Game 1 on Saturday with a right knee contusion. According to ESPN, the injury was sustained during practice this week, but the Rockets are optimistic it won’t be a major issue this series.
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Durant has played in just four games this season for the Rockets, who elected to rest him ahead of Sunday’s regular-season finale. Assuming he does take the field, he will be looking for his first playoff win since 2023.
The Lakers will face bigger problems as two of their stars, Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves, are out indefinitely with hamstring and oblique strains, respectively. It’s unclear when they will be able to return, if the Lakers can get past the Rockets.
Even after reports of Durant’s injury, the Rockets remain -600 at BetMGM to advance to the Western Conference semifinals, where the defending champion and top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder are likely waiting.
