Where is Kevin Durant? Why Rockets star isn't playing vs. Lakers in Game 1 of playoff series
The Lakers aren't the only shorthanded team in their playoff series against the Rockets.
Where is Kevin Durant? Why Rockets star isn't playing vs. Lakers in Game 1 of playoff series originally appeared on The Sporting News .
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Lakers entered the playoffs with major injury concerns, as both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are out indefinitely, but the Rockets are being bitten by the injury bug as well. Houston is without star Kevin Durant for Game 1 of its playoff series against the Lakers, leaving the team without its veteran centerpiece on the road.
Durant certainly isn't young by NBA standards, but he managed to stay on the court for the Rockets this season, playing 78 games for the first time in seven years. Here's what you need to know about Durant's absence for the Rockets in Game 1. MORE: Victor Wembanyama named Sporting News Player of the Year What happened to Kevin Durant?
Durant suffered a knee contusion in practice after the end of the regular season and was officially listed as questionable by the Rockets on Friday. Despite ESPN reporting the Rockets were "optimistic" Durant's injury wouldn't significantly impact their series against the Lakers, his absence in Game 1 qualifies as significant. Durant averaged 26.