Durant Misses Game 1 vs. Lakers With Knee Injury

Sport

By lines

April 19, 2026

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Kevin Durant has a right knee injury and will not play in the Rockets-Lakers Game 1. Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka confirmed Kevin Durant’s status to reporters Saturday. Durant suffered the contusion during practice on Wednesday, April 15. Medical imaging revealed no structural damage to Kevin Durant’s right knee.

Houston and Los Angeles Both Missing Their Leading Scorers in Game 1

Kevin Durant averaged 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game for the Rockets in the regular season. Durant is 37 years old and leads Houston in scoring. Udoka said Kevin Durant “bumped a knee in practice on Wednesday” causing tenderness above the patellar tendon area. Udoka described the outlook as “hopefully a one-game thing” after Kevin Durant tested the knee Saturday.

Udoka will start Reed Sheppard, Josh Okogie, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, and Alperen Sengun in Game 1. Houston closed the regular season winning 9 of its final 10 games to secure the No. 5 seed.

The Los Angeles Lakers will also be shorthanded for Sunday’s opener. Luka Doncic is sidelined with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain suffered April 2 against Oklahoma City. Austin Reaves is also out with a Grade 2 left oblique strain. Doncic returned to Los Angeles on Friday after receiving treatment in Europe.