Kevin Durant’s injury status continues to be a bit of a mystery as the Houston Rockets attempt to avoid elimination against the Los Angeles Lakers. Durant is dealing with an ankle injury which prompted the star not to play in Game 5 tonight, April 29, against the Lakers.
If the Rockets are able to extend the series against the Lakers, Durant’s status for the remainder of the series remains in doubt. Ahead of Game 5, ESPN’s Shams Charania provided an update on Durant’s status.
“Kevin Durant is expected to miss game 5 for Houston,” Charania explained during an April 28, edition of “SportsCenter.” “That will be his third consecutive game missed with this bone bruise in his sprained left ankle.
“It’s created stiffness, swelling, a lack of mobility as well. And look for Houston now to rely on that young core of Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun. A key stat here, in 61 minutes together in this series, that quartet is a plus-31.”
Here’s the latest news on Durant’s injury and potential return timeline.
Kevin Durant’s Injury Puts Status for Lakers-Rockets Series in Doubt
Durant’s availability has been ever-changing throughout the Lakers-Rockets series. The Rockets star has only played one game in the series.
Durant missed Game 1 as a surprise scratch after sustaining an injury in practice leading up to the NBA playoffs. KD then played 41 minutes in Game 2, posting 23 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Yet, Durant went on to miss the next two games in the series and will now be sidelined for his third consecutive contest.
Kevin Durant Trade Rumors: The Pistons Floated as a Landing Spot for KD
It would not be an NBA offseason if there were not some form of Durant trade rumors. Durant’s 2-year, $90 million contract will begin during the 2026-27 season.
Both Durant and the Detroit Pistons have had a less than ideal start to the NBA playoffs. Former NBA player Jeff Teague suggested that the Pistons make a push to strike a blockbuster trade for Durant this offseason.
“They desperate for another scorer and Kevin Durant is still playing at a high level,” Teague explained on the “Club 520 Podcast.”
“That’d take so much pressure off Cade (Cunningham) and so much pressure off Kevin Durant to do everything. I think it’d be an easy fit. Like full stop, that’s the move.”
Rockets Center Alperen Sengun on Kevin Durant’s Impact Amid Injury: ‘He’s Been There for Us’
There have been conflicting reports regarding how much Durant’s teammates know about his status during the recovery process. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that some of Durant’s teammates remain in the dark about the star’s status.
Sengun is among the Rockets players to back his star teammate.
“He’s been there for us,” Sengun said of Durant’s impact on the Rockets amid his injury, per Houston Chronicle’s Varun Shankar. “It’s important.
“Talking to us on the bench, giving us some motivation. Good seeing him out there.”
The first step for the Rockets is to win Game 5 in order to force a Game 6. Even if the Rockets are victorious, all signs point to Durant’s availability once again being in doubt for Game 6.
Kevin Durant’s Injury Update: When Will KD Play Again for Rockets?