Kevin Durant Injury Update, Latest News on Star's Status for Rockets vs. Lakers Game 5
Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant has been ruled out for Wednesday's Game 5 of the team's first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers with a sprained left ankle and bone bruise, the team announced.
The development is a tough blow for Houston as the Lakers lead the series 3-1 and have the chance to eliminate the Rockets in Game 5.
The news comes after Rockets head coach Ime Udoka left the door open for a potential Game 5 return.
"We'll see," Udoka told reporters Tuesday. "It is day to day, game to game. But we'll have to get on the court and do some things, and he didn't participate in practice today. But he's doing the conditioning and other aspects to try to get back."
Durant stayed healthy during the regular season, playing 78 games, but caught the injury bug heading into the playoffs. He missed Game 1 of the Rockets' first-round series against the Lakers due to a bruised right knee suffered in practice on April 16.
Durant was able to suit up for Game 2, but missed Games 3 and 4 with a bone bruise in his ankle, which was also sprained. ESPN's Shams Charania reported before Game 4 of the first-round series that the injury would sideline Durant for two to three weeks during the regular season, despite the fact that the future Hall of Famer was receiving "around-the-clock treatment."
Durant, 37, had another tremendous season, putting up 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 52 percent from the field and 41.3 percent from deep.
