Durant (ankle) is listed out for Friday's Game 6 versus the Lakers.
The Rockets previously listed Durant as doubtful for this contest. Houston has all the momentum in this series right now, and if they extend it to seven games, Durant's return could potentially be on the table, depending on how quickly he continues to recover.
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Rockets' Kevin Durant: Officially doubtful for Game 6
Rotowire
Durant (ankle) is officially listed as doubtful for Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs Friday against the Lakers.
No surprise here, as ESPN's Shams Charania reported earlier Thursday that Durant isn't expected to be available for Game 6 due to a left ankle sprain. If the Rockets extend this first-round series Friday, the superstar forward should be considered questionable at best for Game 7. Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason should continue to see heavy playing time until Durant is cleared to return.
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Rockets' Kevin Durant: Slated to miss Game 6
Rotowire
Durant (ankle) isn't in line to play Friday in Game 6 of the Rockets' first-round playoff series versus the Lakers, Shams Charania reported Thursday in an appearance on ESPN's "Get Up."
Durant will be sidelined for the fifth time in six games of the series while he continues to contend with a left ankle sprain and bone bruise. According to Charania, the bone bruise is believed to be a "two-week minimum" injury for Durant, so the veteran forward may face an uphill battle to make it back on the court for a potential Game 7 on Sunday if the Rockets are able to extend the series with a win Friday. Durant's continued absence will raise the minutes floors for frontcourt mates Jabari Smith and Alperen Sengun, in addition to opening up extra run for Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason, who have both logged at least 29 minutes in each of the past three contests.
Durant (ankle) has been ruled out for Wednesday's Game 5 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Lakers.
As expected, Durant will miss a third straight game due to a left ankle sprain and bone bruise. If the Rockets are able to stave off elimination Wednesday, the star forward's next opportunity to play will be in Game 6 on Friday. With Durant out, Dorian Finney-Smith, Tari Eason and Reed Sheppard are candidates to see increased playing time.
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Rockets' Kevin Durant: Unlikely for Game 5
Rotowire
Speaking on ESPN's Get Up Show, Shams Charania reports that Durant is unlikely to play in Game 5 versus the Lakers on Wednesday.
Durant continues to nurse a bone bruise in his left ankle, which is limiting his mobility. With Houston's superstar forward looking iffy at best, the team will likely need to rely heavily on Tari Eason once again.
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Rockets' Kevin Durant: Considered game-to-game
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Head coach Ime Udoka stated postgame Sunday that Durant's status is game-to-game due to his left ankle injury, Vanessa Richardson of Space City Home Network reports.
Durant has missed the last two games due to a left ankle sprain and bone bruise, but there is a chance he returns in the first round, according to Udoka. His next opportunity to suit up comes in Game 5 on Wednesday. This is a positive development as the Rockets look to continue their comeback from what was an 0-3 series deficit before Sunday's win.
Rockets' Kevin Durant: Officially ruled out for Game 4
Rotowire
Durant (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Lakers.
As expected, Durant will miss a second consecutive game due to a bone bruise in his sprained left ankle. The Rockets are down 3-0 in the series, and a win would shift the series back to Los Angeles for Game 5 on Wednesday. However, given the extent of Durant's injury, he's unlikely to be available. Reed Sheppard should remain in Houston's starting five for as long as Durant is out of action.
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Rockets' Kevin Durant: Not expected to play Game 4
Rotowire
Durant (ankle) is not expected to play in Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Lakers on Sunday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Durant has been working on his recovery from a bone bruise in his sprained left ankle that he sustained in Game 2 on Tuesday. The injury typically carries a 2-to-3 week recovery timeline, and it looks like he will not be able to play in Sunday's elimination game. Reed Sheppard should remain in the Rockets' starting lineup, assuming Durant is ruled out.
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