yahoo - 5/1/2026 1:13:34 PM - GMT (+2 )
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant has missed most of the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers and a similar pattern is expected for Game 6.
Durant missed Game 1 with a right knee contusion, an injury he sustained during practice a day before the game. He scored 23 points in a Game 2 loss, but suffered a left ankle sprain that has kept him sidelined for Games 3, 4 and 5.
The pain in his ankle will likely keep him from competing in the potential elimination Game 6 in Houston. League sources told ESPN's Shams Charania that Durant will not play, as the Rockets trail the Lakers 3-2 in their best-of-seven series. Durant was listed as "doubtful" on the NBA injury report as of 10 p.m. ET, April 30.
The Rockets have won the previous two matchups against the Lakers after falling down 3-0 in the series. A Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday, May 3, if necessary.
Durant's timetable for a return was a minimum of two weeks, sources told Charania. He first suffered the ankle injury on April 21. If the Rockets can force Game 7, it would be just days before the two-week mark given for Durant.
The Rockets have won back-to-back games without Durant, though, led by their young, future core of Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Reed Sheppard and Alperen Sengun. Smith led Houston with a team-high 22 points in the Rockets' 99-93 Game 5 win in Los Angeles. Thompson led the Rockets with 23 points in their 115-96 Game 4 win in Houston.
Durant, 37, averaged 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 78 games during the 2025-26 regular season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kevin Durant injury update, status for Lakers-Rockets Game 6
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