One of the biggest questions throughout the Game 3 matchup between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers: Where is Kevin Durant?
The Rockets knew he wasn’t going to play, after he suffered an ankle sprain during Game 2. But considering the Rockets were playing in their first home playoff game of the postseason, many assumed Durant would be on the bench to support his team.
That wasn’t the case. Durant’s absence became one of the most popular storylines over the past 48 hours.
Did Kevin Durant Return To The Bench In Game 4?
Once again, Durant is out for the Rockets in Game 4.
The initial injury report listed Durant’s status as questionable due to an ankle sprain. He worked hard “round-the-clock” in an attempt to get the green light to play. Unfortunately, the Rockets were forced to rule out the star forward.
While Durant spent Game 3 in recovery, he was spotted on the bench during the Lakers-Rockets matchup in Houston for Game 4.
via UnderdogNBA: Kevin Durant is on the Rockets’ bench during Game 4 tonight.
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)
On multiple occasions after a Game 3 loss in overtime, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka explained Durant’s absence from the bench.
“Ime Udoka says Durant talked with Rockets’ medical staff, chose to do a variety of recovery exercises during Game 3,” Houston Chronicle’s Michael Shapiro reported. “Says Durant ran on an underwater treadmill as part of his recovery.”
“I wouldn’t say expecting him or not,” Udoka told reporters on Saturday.
“It’s kind of a medical decision if they want to get that treatment in. Obviously, once you’re done with treatment, you can come out [to the bench] or you can’t, but at that point, like I said, he was getting some running in on the underwater treadmill and doing things of that nature.”
Kevin Durant-Less Rockets Looking To Stay Alive
Durant was ultimately ruled out for the third time in four games this postseason.
A loss against the Lakers on Sunday will end the Rockets’ season in a disappointing fashion. A win will keep the series alive and force a Game 5 in LA. That would give Durant another opportunity to rest up and suit up in an attempt to form a comeback.