The Los Angeles Lakers enter their Game 1 playoff matchup against the Houston Rockets on the back of a couple of unfortunate injuries.Â
However, they may have been handed a potential major boost as Rockets forward Kevin Durant has been listed as questionable due to injury for the opening round.
Both teams are dealing with injuries, but Durantâs uncertain status for Saturday night could tilt the early momentum to the Lakers despite the Rockets entering as favorites.
Durant has suited up for 78 games this season, which is the most he has played in seven years, his final year with the Golden State Warriors.Â
He has always been available for the Rockets, and they hope his current health status doesnât carry over to Game 1.
Los Angeles Lakersâ Looking to Edge a Durant-less Rockets
The Lakers will be led by 41-year-old LeBron James for at least the first few games of this playoff round.Â
They lost their two main scorers in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to injuries, which will limit their playoff contribution, particularly in this first round.Â
Doncic recorded 76 points in the Lakersâ back-to-back victories over Houston last month. Without that scoring touch, L.A. will have to rally around James as its primary offensive option.Â
The Rockets went a perfect 4-0 record in games Durant missed during the regular season. Itâs a small metric, but it shows they can handle their own. However, they have also shown to be vulnerable to experience having lost out in this same stage last year to Golden State despite finishing No. 2 in the West.Â
They sought experience and brought in Durant, but they started the season a bit shorthanded after Fred VanVleet tore his ACL and later in the season when Steven Adams had an ankle surgery that ruled him out of the season.
Injury Woes Shift the Series Outlook
This playoff matchup is between No. 4 and No. 5 in the West and what should have been a high-stakes playoff series. Instead, it has been marred by injuries.Â
If Durant isnât cleared on time for Game 1, it will leave James as the only real playoff-proven superstar on the floor for both sides.Â
The Lakers also have DeAndre Ayton, who made the Finals in 2021, however, any hope of progressing will lie on their 41-year-old veteran.Â
One thing both teams will have to do is adapt, and itâs a good thing the Lakers already played some games without Doncic and Reaves before the conclusion of the regular season.Â
Game 1 tips off Saturday night in Los Angeles, with the series hanging heavily on health updates in the coming hours. If Durant sits, the Lakers gain a tangible edge to open what promises to be a hard-fought Western Conference battle.Â
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Lakers Gain Major Game 1 Advantage After Rockets Announce Surprising Injury News appeared first on Heavy Sports.