Charania: Kevin Durant could miss rest of series versus Lakers
Even if the Lakers lose Game 4 and don't sweep the Rockets, the Rockets could still be in deep trouble.
Once again, Houston Rockets superstar Kevin Durant was ruled out of action during the team's first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers . He didn't take the court for Game 4 of the series on Sunday, making it the third contest he has missed in this matchup. He sat out Game 1 due to a knee contusion, and he has now missed two in a row with a sprained ankle.
Even if the Rockets manage to win Game 4 and avoid getting swept, it looks like they may not get Durant back for the remainder of the series. According to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania , the future Hall of Famer now has a bone bruise in that sprained ankle, which could entail missing two to three weeks of game action. "Houston's Kevin Durant is expected to miss Game 4 against the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell ESPN," Charania wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
"Durant has a bone bruise in his sprained ankle, which would sideline him 2 to 3 weeks in season. He's had around-the-clock treatment to play but has not been cleared by doctors. " This essentially means that Houston's chances of coming back to win this series, or to even make it competitive, could be slim to none, regardless of how Game 4 turns out.
The Lakers have done a remarkable job of overcoming the injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to show tremendous grit, resolve and resourcefulness against a bigger and more athletically gifted Houston roster. Game 5, if necessary, will take place at Crypto. com Arena in Los Angeles on Wednesday.