Updated April 26, 2026, 8:45 p.m. CT<\/p>\n
One thing that should never be in question is Kevin Durant\u2019s will, grit, and determination to play basketball.<\/p>\n
For the veteran Houston Rockets<\/a> forward, who led his team in scoring this season, it is his life. It is his profession.<\/p>\n Now 37 years old and still a perennial NBA All-Star, he does anything and everything to be on the court at all times. And when he is away from the hardwood, there is a safe bet for what he\u2019s doing.<\/p>\n That\u2019s watching and studying the game.<\/p>\n In his 19th NBA season, Durant was an iron man during the regular season, playing 2,840 minutes (36.4 per game) in 78 games while missing only one due to injury.<\/p>\n Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!<\/a><\/p>\n The only Rockets player to play more than Durant was Amen Thompson, who is 14 years younger.<\/p>\n Yet, in the 2026 Western Conference playoffs, fate has intervened.<\/p>\n After suffering a knee contusion to his right leg<\/a> and an ankle sprain to his left leg<\/a>, forcing absences in two of Houston\u2019s initial three playoff games versus the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>, Durant underwent extensive treatment this weekend at team facilities to try and return and help his teammates in Sunday\u2019s Game 4.<\/p>\n With that in mind, it was puzzling to see some fans and even media members question Durant\u2019s motivations<\/a>.<\/p>\n Remember, this is the same Durant who returned from a calf injury in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals<\/a> against the Toronto Raptors, when he was a member of the Golden State Warriors. He played limited minutes in the first half before tearing his Achilles tendon (on the same leg) and missing all of the next season to rehab.<\/p>\n At the time, the Warriors were on the brink of playoff elimination \u2014 just as the Rockets are now \u2014 and Durant\u2019s contractual status for the next season was unclear. Yet, he played nonetheless.<\/p>\n Durant said on numerous occasions that he knew the risk he was taking but played to help his team. Yet, some fans were skeptical when he was not on the bench during an overtime loss to the Lakers<\/a> in Game 3.<\/p>\n