Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant has officially been ruled out for Game 6 against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night, marking the fifth game he’s missed due to injury during Houston’s first-round playoff series.
After making his only appearance of the series in a 101-94 loss to the Lakers in Game 2 on April 21, Durant has missed the last three games after suffering a left ankle sprain late in that loss. He missed Game 1 due to a right knee contusion he suffered in practice.
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Durant’s absence has been the biggest story of the playoffs for Houston after the 37-year-old excelled in his first season with the Rockets, which included him missing just four games during the regular season (one due to injury).
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Without Durant, the Rockets struggled mightily to gain footing on the offensive end and fell into a 3-0 hole in the series, despite Los Angeles being without its two leading scorers, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, in those three games.
Since then, Houston has found new life and won the last two games, pushing the series to a pivotal Game 6 on Friday night in Houston.
With a win in Game 6, the Rockets would continue their stunning bounce-back and force a Game 7 on Sunday with a chance to achieve history. No team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit and won a series in NBA history. While the Rockets are without several key veterans during this crucial point in the season, the young core in Houston, led by Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson, has continued to fight.
Durant was listed as doubtful in Thursday’s injury report, which indicates he may be nearing a return in the coming days, but it remains unclear if he’d be healthy enough to play in a potential Game 7.