With bruised knee, Kevin Durant questionable for Rockets-Lakers Game 1
Rockets star Kevin Durant (right knee contusion) is listed as questionable for Saturday’s Game 1 of their first-round playoff series versus the Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers might not be the only team missing an All-Star to open their 2026 first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets. Kevin Durant is listed as questionable for Saturday’s Game 1 with a right knee contusion, according to the NBA’s latest injury report . That could indicate that Durant banged knees at one of this week’s practices, or perhaps suffered a fall to the court.
The next update from the Rockets will come when head coach Ime Udoka meets with the media about an hour-and-a-half prior to Saturday night’s tipoff in Los Angeles. Should Durant be unavailable, reserves Tari Eason and Reed Sheppard would presumably be in line for increased minutes and scoring opportunities. Incumbent starters Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr.
could all have their usage increase, as well. The first three Rockets-Lakers games all have two off days between games, so that could provide Durant with additional time to rest, if needed. Game 2 is Tuesday night, also in Los Angeles.
The Houston Rockets report that Kevin Durant is questionable for Game 1 with a right knee contusion The Lakers have ruled out Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. James, Smart, Ayton, Hachimura, Kennard, LaRavia, Hayes, Vanderbilt, Kleber, James, Thiero, Knecht, Smith available — Law Murray 🪺 (@LawMurrayTheNU) April 18, 2026 With Los Angeles (53-29, No. 4 in Western Conference) expected to be without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves — the two leading scorers on the Lakers — for most or all of the series, Houston enters as a heavy favorite .