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The Houston Rockets will be without one of their All-Stars as they face a potential sweep against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.
Kevin Durant is not expected to play for the Rockets in Game 4 of the team’s first-round series against the Lakers, according to ESPN.
Durant will miss his second consecutive game after suffering a sprained left ankle. He was also diagnosed with a bruise on his ankle bone, additional tests revealed.
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Kevin Durant of the Houston Rockets reacts during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, on January 15, 2026. (Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
This injury typically has a recovery time of two to three weeks, ESPN added after speaking with sources. Houston has attempted “round-the-clock treatment” for Durant just to get him on the court, but doctors have not cleared him to play.
Durant’s injury occurred during the second half of Tuesday’s Game 2 loss to the Lakers, 101-94. Durant was slow to come off the court and in the following days swelling developed, forcing him to miss the third game.
After discovering the bone bruise, the Rockets understood why Durant had more swelling and stiffness in his ankle compared to a normal sprain, according to ESPN.
Still, Durant is helping his teammates in the video room, as they review their game against the Lakers before the win-or-go-home scenario on Sunday night. Durant was also at the Rockets facility to receive treatment.
Houston Rockets C Alperen Sengun and wing Kevin Durant sit on the bench against the Los Angeles Lakers during Game 1 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. (Kirby Lee (Image Images))
While Durant was healthy during his first year with the Rockets, this postseason has been a disaster so far. He missed Game 1 due to a right knee bruise suffered in practice. It was described as a “tender” bruise in an “uncomfortable place” above the knee, which severely limited his ability to move.
The Lakers won Game 1, 107-98, but Durant was able to prepare for Game 2. However, after making seven of his 12 jumpers and eight of his nine free throws for 23 points in 41 minutes, his injury came late in the second half and he hasn’t seen the court since.
Meanwhile, LeBron James, who has so far played without key teammates Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves in this series, has been leading the way as Los Angeles gets off to an impressive 3-0 start in this series.
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant watches during overtime against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 22, 2026. (Bill Streicher/Image Images)
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The Lakers hope they don’t have to return to Los Angeles for Game 5 of this series, which would allow everyone, including the injured on their bench, to prepare for the next series if they can get the job done Sunday night.
Houston will once again turn to players like Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Şengün to keep the season alive.
