Reports: Rockets not expecting Kevin Durant to play in Game 6

If the Rockets force a Game 7 with a third consecutive win in the best-of-seven playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston will have to get there without Kevin Durant.

According to multiple reports, Durant is down for a fourth game in a row and unavailable for Friday's game in Houston. The Rockets fell behind 3-0 in the series but have won back-to-back games. Durant has played only 41 minutes in the series -- all in Game 2 -- when he suffered a bone bruise in his left ankle.

ESPN reported Durant is unlikely to play for two weeks while recovering from the injury suffered on April 21.

If the Rockets take Game 6 on Friday night, Game 7 in Los Angeles would be played Sunday, 12 days after Durant was first hurt.

Durant, 37, averaged 26 points per game in the regular season.

--Field Level Media

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This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 7:53 AM.