Durant expected to miss Game 4 as Rockets look to avoid sweep: report

The Houston Rockets will be without one of their All-Star players as they face a potential win against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.

According to ESPN, Kevin Durant is not expected to play for the Rockets in Game 4 of the first round series with the Lakers.

Durant is out for his second straight game recovering from a left ankle sprain. Further tests revealed that he was also diagnosed with a bone bruise on his ankle.

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After speaking with sources, ESPN added that this injury typically has a recovery timeline of two to three weeks. Houston tried “24-hour treatment” just to get Durant on the court, but doctors wouldn’t let him play.

Durant’s injury occurred in the second half of Game 2, a 101-94 loss to the Lakers on Tuesday. Durant was slow to get off the field and swelling occurred in the following days, which forced him into the 3rd game. forced him to miss the match.

After discovering the bone bruise, the Rockets figured out why Durant had more swelling and stiffness in his ankle compared to a normal sprain, according to ESPN.

Still, Durant is in the film room helping his teammates review their game against the Lakers ahead of Sunday night’s win-or-go-home scenario. Durant was also at the Rockets’ facility to receive his treatment.

Houston Rockets C Alperen Sengun and winger Kevin Durant sit on the bench against the Los Angeles Lakers during Game 1 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. (Kirby Lee (Imagine Pictures))

While Durant has been healthy throughout his first year with the Rockets, this postseason has been a disaster so far. He missed Game 1 due to a right knee concussion he suffered in practice. It was described as a “tender” bruise in an “odd spot” above his knee, severely restricting his ability to move.

The Lakers won Game 1 107-98, but Durant made it to Game 2. But after making seven of his 12 shots and eight of his nine free throws for 23 points in 41 minutes, the injury came late in the second half and he hasn’t seen the court since.

Meanwhile, LeBron James, who has been playing without key teammates Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves so far in this series, has led Los Angeles to a stunning 3-0 start to this series.

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant appears during overtime against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 22, 2026. (Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)

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The Lakers hope to not have to return to Los Angeles for Game 5 of this series; This will allow everyone, including those injured on the bench, to start the next series properly if they can get the job done on Sunday night.

Houston once again turned to Jabari Smith Jr. to keep the season alive. and Alperen Şengün.

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