On Saturday night, the Houston Rockets will be in Los Angeles to play the Lakers for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.
The Rockets finished the regular season with a 52-30 record, which has them as the fifth seed in the Western Conference.
Kevin Durant News Before Lakers Game
GettyKevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets reacts after passing Michael Jordan on the all-time scoring list during the game between the Miami Heat and the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 21, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
Before the game, the Rockets surprisingly announced that Kevin Durant is being listed as questionable on the injury report.
Bleacher Report wrote: “Rockets announce Kevin Durant is questionable for Game 1 vs. Lakers with a right knee contusion”
NBA Social Media Reacts To Durant News
GettyKevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets reacts after a play against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on March 2, 2026 in Washington, DC.
Here’s what people were saying about the news on social media:
@BradeauxNBA: “How in the world did Kevin Durant randomly get a right knee contusion.”
LakersMuse: “🚨 This is the FIRST time this season that Kevin Durant is on the injury report with a knee issue, meaning it might be new I think he plays since it’s the playoffs, but it’s definitely something to monitor”
Lachard Binkley: “Not sure when the contusion happened, since KD talked to us on Wednesday, and there was no indication, and mostly everyone was off the court by the time we got in to talk to the team yesterday. If I had to guess, though, I would be suprised if he doesn’t play.”
Will Guillory: “Kevin Durant (right knee contusion) is listed as questionable for Game 1 vs LA Lakers tomorrow. Durant only missed one game during the entire regular season due to injury.”
@HavenHoops1: “So Kevin Durant played 78 of 82 possible games , now might miss game 1 of the playoffs?”
Yahoo Sports: “Kevin Durant is questionable for Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs vs. the Lakers with a right knee contusion. The injury was sustained in practice this week, but the Rockets are optimistic it won’t be a major issue this series, per Tim MacMahon.”
@PlayoffLAL: “So is Kevin Durant hurt or is it just a smoke screen?”
GettyKevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets reacts after passing Michael Jordan on the all-time scoring list during the game between the Miami Heat and the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 21, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
Durant’s Career
Durant is in his first year playing for the Rockets.
The future Hall of Famer finished the regular season with averages of 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per contest while shooting 52.0% from the field and 41.3% from three-point range in 78 games.
At 37, he is still among the elite players in the entire NBA.
GettyKevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets speaks with the media during NBA Media Day at Toyota Center on September 29, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
Durant has also had stints with the Golden State Warriors, OKC Thunder, Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns over 19 years.
He last won an NBA Championship during the 2018 season (with Golden State).
NBA World Reacts To Kevin Durant News Before Rockets-Lakers Game