Kevin Durant Misses Rockets’ Game 1 Against Lakers Due to Knee Contusion

The Houston Rockets will be without Kevin Durant for Game 1 in Los Angeles. He suffered a right knee injury in practice Wednesday. Team reports described the issue as a knee contusion.

Injury update

Rockets coach Ime Udoka told reporters Saturday that Durant tried the knee earlier and did not feel well enough. Udoka said medical imaging showed no structural damage. He added the area above the knee, near the patellar tendon, remained very tender and sore.

Udoka emphasized that limited movement, not pain tolerance, kept Durant out for the opener. Game 2 is scheduled in Los Angeles on Tuesday. That date falls nearly a week after the injury.

Impact on the Rockets

Durant, 37, led Houston in scoring during the regular season. He averaged a team-high 26 points per game. He also averaged 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists.

With Durant unavailable, Udoka said he will start Reed Sheppard, Josh Okogie, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun. He noted the club goes nine or 10 deep and used a rotating fifth starter this season. Houston closed the regular season winning nine of its final 10 games to secure the No. 5 seed.

Lakers absences

The Lakers will also be short-handed for Game 1. Luka Doncic is sidelined with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. Austin Reaves is out with a Grade 2 left oblique strain.

Doncic flew back to Los Angeles Friday after spending weeks in Europe for specialized treatment. This will be his first game with the Lakers since the April 2 injury against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers went 3-2 during his absence. Coach Redick said Doncic landed in good spirits and the team was eager to have him available.

Filmogaz.com will provide updates as the series progresses and more medical information becomes available.