Rockets Rule Out Kevin Durant for Game 5 vs. Lakers Sport By lines April 29, 2026 Kevin Durant is out for Game 5 against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night. The Houston Rockets ruled out Durant with a left ankle sprain. Houston trails the Lakers 3-1 in the first round series. Houston Faces Elimination Without Durant Durant did not practice Tuesday before the Rockets flew to California. Durant was seen running on an antigravity treadmill at the team facility. Coach Ime Udoka described Durant as day-to-day. Durant has now missed Games 3, 4, and 5 of the series. Durant scored 23 points in 41 minutes during Houston’s Game 2 loss to Los Angeles. Durant injured the left ankle late in that 101-94 defeat. Durant also sat out Game 1 with a bruised right knee. The 37-year-old Durant played 2,840 regular season minutes, second most in the NBA. The Rockets won Game 4 by a 115-96 margin without Durant. Houston now needs three straight wins to advance. Game 5 tips at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN at Crypto.com Arena. Lakers guard Austin Reaves remains a game-time decision for Game 5. Related Sports Coverage Lakers Eye Series Win Over Rockets in Game 5 at Home Rockets Avoid Sweep, Top Lakers 115-96 in Game 4 Lakers Eye Sweep of Rockets in Game 4 With Durant Iffy Reporting via the Associated Press and NBA.com.
