The Houston Rockets continue to be without Kevin Durant as the team attempts to extend the NBA playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers. Ahead of Game 6, Durant was upgraded to doubtful, but the superstar remains out with an ankle injury.
Ahead of Game 6, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Durant still had another week of recovery remaining as the star attempted to return from the latest injury.
“Sources tell me Kevin Durant will be out for Game 6,” Charania noted during an April 30, 2026, edition of “Get Up.” “He’s not going to be playing, so he will have missed five of six games so far in this series. He’s dealing with a bone bruise in his left ankle.
“We know he dealt with a tendon bruise that sidelined him for Game 1, but this bone bruise is a two-week minimum injury. He’s just over one week right now, so Houston is going to rely on that young core that they have. They’ve had pretty much full control of the last three games.”
Here’s what you need to know about Durant’s injury.
Kevin Durant Injury: KD Is Unlikely to Play in a Potential Game 7 vs. Lakers
It is a positive sign that Durant’s status was upgraded to doubtful (instead of his previous designation of out), but Charania’s report indicates that KD is unlikely to play if the Rockets force a Game 7. Durant’s slight change with his injury designation leaves the door slightly cracked for a potential return this series.
The Lakers would host the Rockets for Game 7 on Sunday, May 3, if Houston is able to win Game 6.
Prior to Game 5, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka described Durant’s status as “day to day,” but the team declined to reveal a specific return timeline.
“We’ll see,” Udoka said on April 28, per Associated Press. “It is day to day, game to game.
“But we’ll have to get on the court and do some things, and he didn’t participate in practice today. But he’s doing the conditioning and other aspects to try to get back.”
What Is Kevin Durant’s Future With the Rockets?
Durant has had a bit of a mysterious return timeline as the star missed Game 1 before playing 41 minutes in Game 2. It could end up being Durant’s only appearance in the Rockets-Lakers series.
Durant’s absence in Game 6 marks the fourth consecutive contest that the star has missed in the playoff series. Durant is trending towards missing five of the last six playoff contests. Charania hinted at a potential disconnect between the Rockets young core of players fitting alongside Durant.
“And so, I think the onus for the Rockets has been a lot about that young core,” Charania added. “How do they mesh with Kevin Durant? But now with no Kevin Durant, you’re leaning on especially those three guys, Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun.
“And last night, you know what caught my eye? Jabari Smith leading huddles down the stretch of the game. Every single time on defense, he was bringing the guys together,” Charania continued.
“And those three guys have been leading dinners, team camaraderie down the stretch of this playoff run that obviously has had its ups and downs.”
All this has not only prompted questions about Durant’s playing status for the Rockets-Lakers series but his future with the franchise as well.
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