Kevin Durant will not play in Game 4 of the Houston Rockets’ first round playoff series, and under normal circumstances, he would be out for a while after that, too.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Sunday that Durant has not been cleared by doctors to play in Sunday’s do-or-die game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Durant is dealing with a bone bruise in his sprained ankle, which would be a two-to-three week injury during the regular season.
Houston's Kevin Durant is expected to miss Game 4 against the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell ESPN. Durant has a bone bruise in his sprained ankle, which would sideline him 2 to 3 weeks in season. He's had around-the-clock treatment to play but has not been cleared by doctors. pic.twitter.com/DpOdclPEAw
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 26, 2026
Obviously, Durant is pushing to return as soon as possible with the Rockets on the brink of elimination. The timeline gives an indication, however, of just how significant Durant’s injury really is.
Details about Durant’s injury have been few and far between. He missed Games 1 and 3, and even his teammates seem largely unaware of what is going on and whether his rehab is progressing. It is not clear if he would have a chance to play in a hypothetical Game 5 either, with the Rockets likely to take things day-by-day.
Durant scored 23 points on 7/12 shooting in Game 2, his only appearance of the series to date.
