Lakers Get Major Boost After Concerning Kevin Durant Injury Update Before Game 2

If the Houston Rockets had thought they would have the health advantage in the first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers, they were wrong. 

Kevin Durant, their leading scorer and veteran presence missed Game 1, and the Rockets are not sure if he will suit up for Game 2 on Tuesday night.

The Lakers, already without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, capitalized on a Durant-less Rockets to secure a 107-98 victory Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. 

The injury to Doncic and Reaves was initially thought to have swung the momentum of the series to Houston’s favor, but it seems that it won’t be the case with the latest development on their 37-year-old forward.

Houston Fears the Worst with Kevin Durant’s Health Status

Durant missed the opening game due to a right knee contusion and his status hasn’t been upgraded with Game 2 coming up tomorrow. 

Rockets coach Ime Udoka described the issue as a deep bruise above the patellar tendon area and while there wasn’t any structural damage, there was difficulty in bending the knee.

Per ESPN Shams Charania, the situation may warrant the two-time champion to sit out another game in the series. 

“Kevin Durant’s status for Game 2 is up in the air,” Charania said on “NBA Today.” “My understanding is Kevin Durant is dealing with a deep bruise in his right patellar tendon that he suffered last Wednesday during a practice drill when he was chasing after a loose ball and collided that knee with a teammate. And that has since caused swelling, pain [and] it’s impacted his range of motion in the leg as well. 

“For Kevin Durant to miss a playoff game, that speaks to the severity of the injury in it of itself.”

It is no doubt a strange one because Durant has been one of the NBA’s most reliable veterans this season. He played 78 games, his highest mark since 2019, and averaged 36.4 minutes a game. Injury-related issues have kept him out for only a single game all season. 

Missing time especially in the playoffs isn’t characteristic of the 16-time NBA All-Star and Udoka has expressed hope that he will play a part in the first round series as he hopes it’s a “one-game thing.”

As of Monday, his status for Game 2 hasn’t been fully updated by the Rockets as they continue monitoring things before the game list for Game 2 is released. A return will automatically increase Houston’s chances.

GettyStars Kevin Durant and LeBron James.

Houston Fumbled Without Star Against a Handicapped Lakers

Durant is averaging 26.0 points per game this season on a 52% shooting from the field. His scoring certainly added a breath of fresh air to a young Houston side. Alperen Sengun is there but it felt they needed a veteran presence and they traded for Durant during the offseason in a massive seven-team deal.

The Rockets were bundled out from this stage last year by the Golden State Warriors, who entered via the play-in route. It was disappointing as they finished as the overall No. 2 seed. That same lapse was fully evident in Game 1 this year. 

Houston lacked its usual fluidity and firepower. The Rockets shot 38% from the field and managed only 66 points through the first three quarters and also shot poorly from beyond the arc at 33%. 

Luke Kennard led the way for the Lakers as he scored a playoff career-high 27 points on perfect 5-for-5 3-point shooting, while 41-year-old LeBron James added 19 points and 13 assists to lead the short-handed Lakers to an early series edge. 

Game 2 tips off Tuesday with the Lakers still holding home court advantage. 

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