Kevin Durant Injury Update Provided by Rockets HC, Latest on Star's Status Ahead of G4 vs. Lakers
After Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant missed the team's Game 3 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday in the first round of the NBA playoffs, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka provided an update on his status.
According to Rockets sideline reporter Vanessa Richardson, Udoka said Durant has been receiving "around-the-clock treatment" for his ankle injury.
Dave McMenamin of ESPN provided an additional update on Sunday:
McMenamin noted that Rockets teammates, including Amen Thompson, said they "don't know" anything about Durant's status for Game 4.
KD was not on the sidelines during Houston's 112-108 overtime loss to L.A. to fall behind 3-0 in the series, and Udoka explained why, noting that Durant was "receiving treatment which included running on an underwater treadmill."
The 37-year-old Durant missed the Rockets' 107-98 loss to the Lakers in Game 1 due to a knee injury, which he suffered during a practice session.
Durant was able to return in Game 2, and although he finished with 23 points, six rebounds and four assists in 41 minutes, the Rockets fell 101-94.
Per Menamin, Udoka said Durant was dealing with swelling in his left ankle after tweaking it during the fourth quarter of Game 2, which forced him to miss Game 3.
The Lakers have been without two stars of their own in Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves due to hamstring and oblique injuries, respectively, but they have managed to overcome those massive absences.
Veterans LeBron James, Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart have all stepped up and performed at a high level to mitigate those losses.
Through three games, James is averaging 25.3 points, Kennard is averaging 21.3 and Smart is averaging 20.3.
With Durant missing two games, Udoka has leaned heavily on Alperen Şengün, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason and Reed Sheppard.
While Şengün, Thompson and Smith have combined to average 63 points per game, Sheppard is averaging 11.3 points on just 26.7 percent shooting, and Eason is averaging 10.3 points on 43.3 percent shooting.
If Durant is unable to play once again in Game 4 on Sunday, it is fair to wonder if the Rockets will be able to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Lakers.
