Kevin Durant Expected to Miss Game 4 of Playoffs Against Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are one win away from advancing to the Western Conference semifinals of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. The Lakers hold a 3-0 series lead over the Houston Rockets going into Game 4 on Sunday at the Toyota Center. Rockets superstar Kevin Durant is reportedly expected to sit out of the game after being diagnosed with a bone bruise in his sprained left ankle, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania .
Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) looks on from the court during the final minutes of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto. com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Durant has also missed Game 1 and Game 3 of the first-round playoff series.
When he played in Game 2, the Lakers utilized a double-team strategy against Durant. Los Angeles was able to limit the NBA’s No. 5 all-time leading scorer to just 23 total points and force a playoff career-high nine turnovers.
With star guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out indefinitely, the Lakers will benefit from Durant’s absence on the court in Game 4. Reaves Could Return From Injury Soon The Lakers listed Reaves as questionable for the first time in three weeks ahead of Game 3. He was ultimately ruled out of the game after warming up with the team.
Reaves is listed as questionable again going into Game 4. It seems he is nearing a return from the Grade 2 left oblique strain he suffered in early April in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, given the Lakers’ 3-0 series lead and the absence of Durant, it would make sense for Los Angeles to keep Reaves off the court for Game 4.