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
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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
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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.
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Rockets' Kevin Durant: Ruled out for Game 5
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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
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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.
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Rockets' Kevin Durant: Officially ruled out for Game 4
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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
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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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Rockets' Kevin Durant: Officially questionable for Game 4
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Durant (ankle) is listed as questionable for Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Lakers.
Durant continues to receive treatment on his left ankle sprain. While the Rockets are one game away from elimination, head coach Ime Udoka indicated that wouldn't be a factor in determining whether the multi-time All-Star would suit up for Game 4. If Durant can't get on the floor Sunday, Reed Sheppard could remain in the starting lineup.
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Rockets' Kevin Durant: Status uncertain for Game 4
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Durant (ankle) received more treatment Saturday, though his status for Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Lakers is still unknown, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
Durant's status for Game 4 remains a mystery. Still, with the Rockets one game away from elimination, head coach Ime Udoka indicated that wouldn't be a factor in determining whether the multi-time All-Star will be back on the floor Sunday. If Durant remains sidelined, Reed Sheppard could stay in the starting lineup.
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Rockets' Kevin Durant: Won't play Friday
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Durant (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's Game 3 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Lakers, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Durant missed Game 1 due to a knee tendon bruise he suffered in practice but returned for Game 2, posting 23 points (7-12 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 8-9 FT), six rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 41 minutes. However, the veteran superstar sprained his left ankle during the loss and won't be available for Game 3, as the series shifts to Houston. Per Charania, the Rockets are expected to start Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith and Alperen Sengun on Friday. Durant's next, and perhaps final, chance to suit up this season will come in Sunday's Game 4.
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Rockets' Kevin Durant: Questionable for Game 3
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Durant is questionable for Game 3 on Friday against the Lakers due to a left ankle sprain.
The superstar forward presumably picked up the issue during Tuesday's Game 2 loss in Los Angeles, when he returned from a one-game absence with a bruised right knee. The Rockets are likely to check back in with Durant closer to Friday's tipoff. Head coach Ime Udoka already vowed Thursday to give Reed Sheppard more playing time in Game 3, so the guard appears primed for significant minutes whether Durant is available to play or not.
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Rockets' Kevin Durant: Nine turnovers in return
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Durant contributed 23 points (7-12 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 8-9 FT), six rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 41 minutes during Tuesday's 101-94 loss to the Lakers in Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Durant returned after missing Game 1 due to a knee injury, scoring a team-high 23 points while also recording a career playoff-high nine turnovers. Sadly for Rockets fans, his efforts weren't enough, as Houston fell to its second straight loss. With the series now heading to Houston, Durant will undoubtedly be looking to turn things around, beginning with Game 3 on Friday.
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Rockets' Kevin Durant: Will play in Game 2
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Durant (knee) will play in Game 2 against the Lakers on Tuesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Durant was held out of Saturday's Game 1 loss due to a right knee contusion, though he'll shed his questionable tag and return to action Tuesday. Per Mark Medina of TheSportingTribune.com, the superstar forward will not be on a minutes restriction. With Durant back in the starting five, Reed Sheppard will slide to the second unit.
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Rockets' Kevin Durant: Game-time call for Game 2
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Durant (knee) will be a game-time decision for Game 2 on Tuesday against the Lakers, per Will Guillory of The Athletic.
Durant, who missed Game 1 due to a right knee contusion, was a partial participant in Monday's practice. The Rockets are likely to re-evaluate him closer to Tuesday's tipoff. If Durant is unable to suit up, Houston would likely start both Josh Okogie and Reed Sheppard once again.
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Rockets' Jabari Smith: Logs double-double in defeat
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Smith logged 16 points (5-14 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 3-5 FT), 12 rebounds and two steals across 43 minutes during Saturday's 107-98 loss to the Lakers in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Smith's performance on both sides of the ball helped to soften the blow caused by Kevin Durant's (knee) absence, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Lakers' relentless offensive onslaught. Smith has often been a savior for the Rockets when Durant or Alperen Sengun have been sidelined, but Game 1's result highlights the need for Durant on the court.
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Rockets' Tari Eason: Coming off bench
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Eason will come off the bench for Saturday's Game 1 against the Lakers, according to Rockets reporter Matt Thomas.
After starting the regular season finale with multiple starters sitting out, Eason is back with the second unit. He may see additional minutes, however, as Kevin Durant (knee) is out for Game 1.
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Rockets' Kevin Durant: Won't play in Game 1
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Durant (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's Game 1 against the Lakers, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Durant bumped knees with a teammate in practice and won't suit up Saturday due to a right knee contusion. With the superstar sidelined, Tari Eason and Josh Okogie are candidates for expanded roles, while Jae'Sean Tate and Dorian Finney-Smith could see increased run. Durant's next chance to play will come in Game 2 in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
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Rockets' Kevin Durant: Questionable for Game 1
Rotowire
Durant is questionable for Saturday's Game 1 matchup with the Lakers due to a right knee contusion.
Durant is dealing with a bruise on his right knee, but we'll have a better idea on his playing status based on his activity level at shootaround. Check back for another update closer to Saturday's tipoff.
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Rockets' Kevin Durant: Ruled out for Sunday
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Durant (rest) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Memphis.
Durant will take a seat for Sunday's regular-season finale, though he should be good to go for the postseason. The superstar forward will end the regular season with averages of 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.9 blocks and 0.8 steals in 36.4 minutes per contest across 78 outings.
