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The Houston Rockets will be without one of their All-Stars as they face a possible sweep against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.
Kevin Durant is not expected to play for the Rockets in Game 4 of the team’s first-round series against the Lakers, according to ESPN.
Durant misses his second straight game after suffering a sprained left ankle. He was also diagnosed with a bone bruise in his ankle, additional tests revealed.
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Kevin Durant of the Houston Rockets reacts during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on January 15, 2026. (Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
This injury typically requires a recovery time of two to three weeks, ESPN added after speaking with sources. Houston tried “around-the-clock treatment” for Durant just to get him on the court, but doctors wouldn’t clear him to play.
Durant’s injury occurred during the second half of Tuesday’s Game 2 loss to the Lakers, 101-94. Durant was slow to come off the court and swelling occurred in the following days, forcing him to miss Game 3.
After discovering the bone bruise, the Rockets understood why Durant had additional swelling and stiffness in his ankle compared to a regular sprain, according to ESPN.
Still, Durant is helping his teammates in the film room, as they review their game against the Lakers ahead of a win-or-go-home scenario Sunday night. Durant was also at the Rockets facility for treatment.
Houston Rockets C Alperen Sengun and wing Kevin Durant sit on the bench against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. (Kirby Lee (Imagn Images))
While Durant had been healthy throughout his first year with the Rockets, this playoffs have been a disaster so far. He missed the first game with a right knee contusion suffered in practice. It was described as a “tender” bruise in an “uncomfortable spot” above his knee, which severely limited his ability to move.
The Lakers won the first game, 107-98, but Durant was able to prepare for the second game. However, after making seven of his 12 jumpers and eight of his nine free throws for 23 points in 41 minutes, his injury occurred late in the second half and he has not seen the court since.
Meanwhile, LeBron James, playing without key teammates Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves so far in this series, has led the way for Los Angeles to a stunning 3-0 start in this series.
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant looks on during overtime against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 22, 2026. (Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)
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The Lakers are hoping they don’t have to return to Los Angeles for a Game 5 of this series, which would allow everyone, including those injured on their bench, to prepare for the next series if they can get the job done on Sunday night.
Houston will once again look to players like Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Şengün to keep the season alive.
