Kevin Durant Out for Game 1 Against Lakers With Right Knee Injury, Rockets Coach Confirms
Houston's got a problem heading into the playoffs. Kevin Durant won't suit up for Game 1 of their first-round matchup against the Lakers because of a right knee injury he picked up at practice Wednesday, Rockets coach Ime Udoka announced Saturday. So much for momentum into the postseason.
The Injury: More Serious Than It Sounds
This isn't just a bump and go situation. Durant tried to test the knee shortly before Udoka spoke to reporters, and it wasn't happening. Medical imaging revealed no structural damage, which is the good news. The bad news? The injury location is brutal. "Right above the knee, the patellar tendon area, up there, it's just very tender and sore," Udoka said. Durant hit it in an awkward spot that's limiting his actual movement, not just his pain tolerance. The injury happened when he bumped the knee during Wednesday's practice.
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👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiUdoka held out hope this could be a one-game absence. Game 2 tips off in Los Angeles on Tuesday, nearly a week after the injury, so there's a window for Durant to potentially return. But for Game 1? He's out.
Rockets Adjusting Without Their Star
Here's the reality: Durant averaged 26 points per game during the regular season while adding 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists. That's the engine of this offense. Without him, Udoka will start Reed Sheppard, Josh Okogie, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, and Alperen Sengun in Game 1. It's not ideal, but the Rockets coach isn't panicking. "We do go nine or 10 deep, depending on who starts for us," Udoka said. The team had a rotating fifth starter all year and dealt with lineup changes constantly, so there's some comfort in flexibility. Udoka feels solid about the depth he's got available.
Houston earned the No. 5 seed by winning nine out of their last 10 games. The Lakers, sitting as the No. 4 seed, are dealing with their own injury nightmare. Luka Doncic is out with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, and Austin Reaves is sidelined with a Grade 2 left oblique strain. Both teams are limping into this series.
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