Kevin Durant expected to miss Game 4 as Rockets face elimination against LeBron James and Lakers: report

The Houston Rockets volition beryllium without 1 of their All-Stars arsenic they look a imaginable expanse to the Los Angeles Lakers connected Sunday night.

Kevin Durant is not expected to suit up for the Rockets successful Game 4 of the team’s archetypal circular bid with the Lakers, according to ESPN.

Durant is sitting retired his 2nd consecutive crippled aft suffering a sprained near ankle. He was besides diagnosed with a bony bruise successful his ankle, further investigating revealed.

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Kevin Durant of the Houston Rockets reacts during a crippled against the Oklahoma City Thunder astatine Toyota Center successful Houston, Texas, connected Jan. 15, 2026. (Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)

This wounded is usually a two-to-three-week betterment timeline, ESPN added aft speaking with sources. Houston has tried "around-the-clock treatment" for Durant conscionable to get him connected the court, but doctors haven’t cleared him to play.

Durant’s wounded occurred during the 2nd fractional of the Game 2 nonaccomplishment Tuesday to the Lakers, 101-94. Durant was dilatory to get disconnected the court, and swelling occurred successful the pursuing days, forcing him to miss Game 3.

After discovering the bony bruise, the Rockets understood wherefore Durant had further swelling and stiffness successful the ankle compared to a regular sprain, per ESPN.

Still, Durant is helping his teammates successful the movie room, arsenic they reviewed their play against the Lakers up of a win-or-go-home script connected Sunday night. Durant was besides astatine the Rockets’ installation get his attraction done.

Houston Rockets C Alperen Sengun and helping Kevin Durant beryllium connected the seat against the Los Angeles Lakers during Game 1 of the archetypal circular of the 2026 NBA Playoffs astatine Crypto.com Arena. (Kirby Lee (Imagn Images))

While Durant had been steadfast passim his archetypal twelvemonth with the Rockets, this postseason has been a catastrophe frankincense far. He missed Game 1 owed to a close genu contusion suffered successful practice. It was described arsenic a "tender" bruise successful an "awkward spot" supra his knee, which severely constricted his quality to move.

The Lakers went connected to triumph Game 1, 107-98, but Durant was capable to suit up for Game 2. However, aft pouring successful 7 of his 12 jumpers and 8 of his 9 escaped throws for 23 points successful 41 minutes, his wounded came precocious successful the 2nd half, and helium hasn’t seen the tribunal since.

Meanwhile, LeBron James, playing without his cardinal teammates Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves frankincense acold successful this series, has been starring the mode for Los Angeles to a stunning 3-0 commencement successful this series.

Houston Rockets guardant Kevin Durant looks connected during overtime against the Philadelphia 76ers astatine Xfinity Mobile Arena successful Philadelphia, Pa., connected Jan. 22, 2026. (Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)

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The Lakers are hoping they won’t person to instrumentality to Los Angeles for a Game 5 successful this series, which would let everyone, including those injured connected their bench, to get close for the adjacent bid if they tin get the occupation done connected Sunday night.

Houston volition erstwhile again look to players similar Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Şengün to support the play alive.

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