Updated April 24, 2026, 6:18 p.m. CT<\/p>\n
HOUSTON — All-Star forward Kevin Durant sat out Friday\u2019s Game 3 versus the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> with a sprained left ankle, which he suffered late in the previous game<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ime Udoka, head coach of the Rockets, said pregame that Durant\u2019s ankle had experienced swelling and was still tender, as of earlier in the day.<\/p>\n Durant was questionable<\/a> for the first two games of the first-round series with a right knee contusion, sitting out Game 1 before playing in Game 2. The latest injury is to his other leg.<\/p>\n After missing only one game due to injury in the entire 2025-26 regular season, Durant has now missed two of Houston\u2019s first three postseason games due to injury.<\/p>\n Game 3 (box score<\/a>) is of pivotal importance to the Rockets, who enter trailing the best-of-seven series by a 2-0 margin. No team in the history of the NBA playoffs has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit to advance.<\/p>\n Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!<\/a><\/p>\n With Durant sidelined, the Rockets started Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun on Friday night. In contrast to the Durant-less Game 1, when the Rockets used Josh Okogie and not Eason alongside those other four starters, it seems Udoka and the Rockets are erring on the side of more offense this time around.<\/p>\n Houston has yet to break 100 points in a game this series, though it\u2019s worth noting the Rockets actually scored fewer points in Game 2 with Durant (94) than in Game 1 with him (98). Durant also committed a game-high nine turnovers in Game 2.<\/p>\n Friday\u2019s tipoff between the Rockets and Lakers is at 7:00 p.m. Central, with the game televised and streamed to a national audience via Prime Video.<\/p>\n Without Durant, the average age of Houston\u2019s Game 3 starting lineup is the second-youngest in NBA playoff history, per ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania<\/a>.<\/p>\n