The Houston Rockets may be down a superstar of their own to open their first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kevin Durant’s name was included on Houston’s injury report submitted Friday night, almost exactly 24 hours before the Rockets host the Lakers for Game 1 at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The 16-time All-Star was listed as questionable due to a right knee contusion.
Durant has not missed a game due to injury all season. He played in 78 of the Rockets’ 82 regular-season contests, with a few DNPs for either rest or personal reasons. He was not in the lineup for Houston’s season finale on April 12 against the Memphis Grizzlies.
While Durant could very well still suit up for Friday’s series opener, it’s not a good sign for Rockets fans to start their playoff campaign. It’s particularly concerning that Durant started to feel some knee pain despite getting more than a week’s worth of rest heading into the playoffs.
The Rockets are 4-0 this season in the four games Durant has missed.
With Houston already without Fred VanVleet due to a preseason torn ACL, the team could be down two of its only battle-tested ball-handlers if Durant is forced to miss time. But Lakers fans, already reeling with injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, won’t be throwing their opponents any pity parties.
Perhaps Doncic can refer Durant to his specialist in Spain.
