The Houston Rockets entered their first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers with a huge question hanging over them: when will Kevin Durant return? Durant was ruled out of Game 1 after hurting his right knee in practice, and the latest reporting says Houston is hopeful the absence is only a one-game issue. That makes Game 2 the obvious target, but the Rockets have not given a firm timetable yet.
Paul Pierceâs Rockets vs Lakers Take
Pierce believes Houston may have been thinking about the bigger picture all along. He said:
âSo we can afford to rest him tonight. And say weâre still better than them because when youâre missing your second and third leading scorer as the Lakers and youâre like, âWell, we can miss our first leading scorer. I think weâre just more talented than the Lakers even without KD.â Weâll say we probably can get one and rest him and extra day to be ready for game two. Thatâs what I think happened. Now, weâll see if he plays game two because if he does, thatâs probably what it was saying we felt like we were better than them without those guys, as a coaching staff.â
In simple terms, Pierce thinks the Rockets may have accepted a short-term loss of Durant because they believed their roster could survive one game without him and still keep the series under control.
That is a risk, but it is also the kind of playoff gamble teams sometimes make when they trust their depth.
Luka Doncic Could Flip the Script
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic
Thereââââââââââââââââ are still two important players missing on the Lakers’ side. Luka DonÄiÄ and Austin Reaves are still keeping their absence open, and the news is that Luka has been struggling with a hamstring problem.
That is indeed a significant factor since if DonÄiÄ decides to come back in the series, Houston’s whole game plan will have to be reconsidered. Personally, I think this is the main issue: the Rockets are totally relying on Durant’s arrival, whereas the Lakers are holding out on Luka. The one who gets fit first will more than likely be the one to decide the ââââââââââââââââseries.
Lakers Beat Rockets in Game 1
Game 1 showed why that decision matters. The Lakers beat the Rockets 107-98, capitalizing on Durantâs absence and playing with better pace and execution. LeBron James had 19 points and 13 assists, while Luke Kennard scored 27 off the bench as Los Angeles grabbed a 1-0 series lead.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post When Will Kevin Durant Return? Rockets’ Injury Call vs Lakers Raises Questions appeared first on Heavy Sports.