{"id":714785,"date":"2026-04-20T20:15:53","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T20:15:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/714785\/"},"modified":"2026-04-20T20:15:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T20:15:53","slug":"new-kevin-durant-injury-update-will-catch-lakers-attention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/714785\/","title":{"rendered":"New Kevin Durant Injury Update Will Catch Lakers’ Attention"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Kevin\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Kevin Durant is trending towards playing for the Rockets in Game 2 vs. the Lakers<\/p>\n

Entering the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>\u2018 injury woes, with both Luka Doncic<\/a> and Austin Reaves<\/a> out for the time being, were one of the biggest storylines across the league. However, the team managed to win Game 1 of its first-round series against the Houston Rockets<\/a>, largely because Kevin Durant<\/a> was ruled out just ahead of tip-off with a knee injury.<\/p>\n

In the blink of an eye, Durant\u2019s injury status has quickly become one of the most important factors in this series for both teams. Ahead of Game 2, Durant\u2019s status has been up in the air, but according to a new report from NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN, it sounds like the legendary scorer is trending in the right direction.<\/p>\n

Kevin Durant Receives \u2018Optimistic\u2019 Injury Update<\/p>\n

Shams: \u201cKevin Durant\u2019s status for Game 2 is up in the air. My understanding is Kevin Durant is dealing with a deep bruise in his right patellar tendon\u2026The Rockets they\u2019re optimistic that Kevin Durant is gonna be able to return as soon as Game 2 but it remains to be seen\u201d <\/p>\n

Heading into this series, the Rockets were expected to have a leg up on the Lakers, given that two of their star players were expected to miss most, if not all, of the series. Instead, Durant\u2019s absence opened the door for LeBron James to lead Los Angeles to an unexpected 107-98 victory in Game 1 on Saturday night.<\/p>\n

With Doncic and Reaves still out for the time being, Durant\u2019s status is the most important storyline in this series right now. Reports indicate that Durant suffered a right knee injury after colliding with one of his teammates during a recent practice, and while it wasn\u2019t believed to be serious, it\u2019s telling that he missed Game 1.<\/p>\n

Should Houston get Durant back, it should reclaim its status as the favorite to win this series. However, it\u2019s not a sure thing that Durant will play in Game 2. According to Charania, Durant is progressing well in his recovery from this injury, and while there\u2019s \u201coptimism<\/a>\u201d that he will be able to play in Game 2, nothing is set in stone just yet.<\/p>\n

\u201cKevin Durant\u2019s status for Game 2 is up in the air,\u201d Charania said on \u201cNBA Today.\u201d \u201cMy understanding is Kevin Durant is dealing with a deep bruise in his right patellar tendon \u2026 The Rockets, they\u2019re optimistic that Kevin Durant is gonna be able to return as soon as Game 2, but it remains to be seen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin Durant\u2019s Injury Status Could Have a Massive Impact on the Lakers\"\"<\/p>\n

GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS \u2013 APRIL 10: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a> during the second half at Toyota Center on April 10, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Durant\u2019s injury status is such a massive storyline because in Game 1, Los Angeles proved it can beat Houston if it doesn\u2019t have its best player on the floor. The Lakers weren\u2019t given much of a shot to win this series without Doncic and Reaves, but suddenly, Durant\u2019s injury status has opened the door for them to make things very interesting.<\/p>\n

Of course, it\u2019s worth noting that Durant appears to have a real shot at playing on Wednesday night, but there\u2019s no guarantee he will play, and even if he does, it seems like this injury is serious enough that it could have an impact on his performance. Durant\u2019s status will be worth keeping close tabs on over the next 24 hours as tip-off for Game 2 draws closer.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOwen Crisafulli<\/a> Owen Crisafulli is an Email Newsletter Editor & Breaking News Writer at Heavy Sports. His work has also appeared on ClutchPoints, Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, NESN Basketball Network, and FanSided, where he shared his insights on a variety of sports topics primarily surrounding the NFL, NBA, and MLB. More about Owen Crisafulli<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

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