The Houston Rockets were able to keep their season alive on Sunday evening against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4. Even without Kevin Durant on the court, the Rockets dominated the game and won by a final score of 115-96.
Durant has missed all but one game in the series due to a knee injury that he suffered in practice.
With Game 5 scheduled to be played on Wednesday night, questions have been swirling about Durant’s status. Fans are hoping to see him back on the court, but a new update has provided a less than ideal outlook for the 37-year-old superstar.
According to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania during a Monday appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show,” Houston is preparing to play Game 5 without Durant on the court.
“I think the Rockets are preparing to play without Kevin Durant in Game 5,” Charania said.
Kevin Durant May Have Played His Last Game With Rockets
According to a report from Hoops HQ’s Evan Sidery, who was formerly a reporter for Forbes, Durant’s tenure with the Rockets might be over. He also suggested two potential trade destinations to watch heading into the NBA offseason.
“There’s some buzz building that Kevin Durant may have already played his final game with the Rockets,” Sidery wrote.
“Durant, who signed an extension before the season, is under contract for $43.9 million in 2026-27. The Heat and Knicks could be teams to monitor, if Durant wants out yet again.”
Another report from Michael Pina of The Ringer has stated that there are no untouchable players or coaches for Houston entering the offseason.
“Now seismic decisions lie ahead, and literally no job is safe,” Pina wrote. “No player is untradable, no coach unexpendable.”
Houston’s Collapse Has Been Shocking
Heading into the NBA Playoffs, the Rockets appeared to be in a good place. They earned the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference and were set to face a Los Angeles Lakers team without both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
What has happened through the first four games of the series has been nothing short of shocking.
LeBron James has turned back the clock and dominated the Houston defense, outside of a tough Game 4 performance. With Reaves close to making his return to the court and Durant still expected to miss more time, the Rockets are clearly in big trouble.
Game 5 is set to be played in Los Angeles on Wednesday night. The game will tip off at 10:00 p.m. ET and fans will be able to watch on ESPN. For now, it sounds like Durant is unlikely to play.
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