“Houston’s Kevin Durant has been ruled out for Game 3 tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a left ankle sprain, sources tell ESPN,” Charania reported to X.
Durant also missed the series opener with a knee contusion he suffered during practice in the week leading up to Game 1.
“String of bad luck for Durant — tendon bruise suffered in practice that sidelined him for Game 1, now an ankle sprain suffered in Game 2 holding him out following swelling and around-clock treatment — after being healthy all season,” Charania added in a follow up post.
Rockets in Serious Trouble With Among Youngest Playoff Lineups in History Against Lakers in Game 3
GettyAmen Thompson of the Houston Rockets.
Durant’s absence is going to leave the Rockets with a highly inexperienced NBA group trying to salvage its postseason in what is essentially a must-win contest.
“With Durant sidelined, the Rockets are expected to utilize the second-youngest starting lineup in NBA playoff history — their homegrown core of Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun,” Charania continued.
The Rockets are also without point guard Fred VanVleet, who has missed the entire season due to an ACL tear, and center Steven Adams due to ankle surgery following an injury in mid-January.
Durant is the team’s highest-usage player and top scorer, while VanVleet was the offensive table-setter on 2024-25 before Durant’s arrival, which was also the plan when the team paired the two up heading into 2025-26.
Adams was also an important part of the offense given his abilities as an offensive rebounder, creating extra shots for a team that can struggle to score points.
Austin Reaves Game-Time Decision for Lakers-Rockets Game 3
GettyAustin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers are also playing at well below full strength, with Luka Doncic out due to a hamstring strain and Austin Reaves sidelined by an oblique strain.
Doncic is likely to miss the entirety of Round 1, regardless of how long it lasts. However, Reaves went from a designation of “out” ahead of Game 2 in Los Angeles to “questionable” ahead of Friday’s contest in Houston.
Reaves is currently a game-time decision for Game 3 and could return for Game 4 in Texas or Game 5 back in L.A. if he is unable to go today. It is unclear whether the news on Durant’s absence might impact the Lakers’ decision on Reaves in any way.
Los Angeles has held the Rockets under 100 points in each of the first two outings in the No. 4 vs. No. 5 series in the Western Conference. LeBron James has captained the offense at 41 years old in Doncic’s and Reaves’ stead, while Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart have stepped up into huge roles over the team’s first two victories.