Kevin Durant's status for tonight's game against the Lakers is still uncertain as he is listed as questionable due to a sprained ankle. He missed the previous game, contributing to the Rockets' 3-0 deficit in the series.
Key points
Kevin Durant is listed as questionable for tonight's game.
He missed the previous game due to a sprained ankle.
The Rockets are facing elimination in the playoffs.
The game against the Lakers starts at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Houston RocketsLos Angeles LakersKevin Durant
Is Kevin Durant playing tonight? Latest status for today's game vs. Lakers
On the verge of elimination, the Houston Rockets may once again be without their best player.
All-Star forward Kevin Durant, who missed Houston’s Game 3 loss with a sprained ankle, had been listed as questionable on the team’s injury reports leading up to tip-off, which is scheduled for Sunday, April 26 at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Durant missed Houston’s 112-108 loss Friday, April 26 that dropped the Rockets to a 3-0 hole in their first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Durant sustained the sprained ankle in the second half of Game 2 on Tuesday, April 21. In that game, Durant scored 20 points in the first half on 6-of-7 shooting. After intermission, however, Lakers coach JJ Redick threw double-teams at Durant, forcing the ball out of his hands. In the second half, Durant scored just 3 points on 1-of-5 shooting.
But all eyes turn to Sunday’s game as the Rockets are trying to avoid a sweep.
Here’s everything you need to know about Kevin Durant’s status Sunday vs. the Lakers:
Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.
Q&A
Is Kevin Durant playing in tonight's game against the Lakers?
Kevin Durant is currently listed as questionable for tonight's game due to a sprained ankle.
What is Kevin Durant's injury status for the Rockets vs. Lakers game?
Kevin Durant has a sprained ankle and missed the previous game, with his status still uncertain for tonight.
What time does the Rockets vs. Lakers game start?
The game is scheduled to tip-off at 9:30 p.m. ET on April 26.
How has Kevin Durant's absence affected the Rockets in the playoffs?
Durant's absence has contributed to the Rockets falling into a 3-0 deficit in their first-round series against the Lakers.
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A member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team performs during a time out during the second half of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
Cleveland Brows player Myles Garrett riles up the crowd during the first half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
A fan waves a towel during the second half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
Fans arrive to watch warmups before game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena.
1 / 5
NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.
1 / 5
NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.
2 / 5
NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
A member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team performs during a time out during the second half of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
3 / 5
NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Cleveland Brows player Myles Garrett riles up the crowd during the first half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
4 / 5
NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
A fan waves a towel during the second half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
5 / 5
NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Fans arrive to watch warmups before game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena.
Is Kevin Durant playing tonight vs. Lakers?
Although Houston had been listing Durant as questionable on early injury reports ahead of Game 4, the team downgraded him to out in the 4:30 p.m. ET injury report.
Per the report, further testing revealed that Durant has also been diagnosed with a bone bruise in the sprained left ankle, prompting him to seek continued treatment ahead of Game 4. In fact, Durant wasn’t present on Houston’s bench during Game 3, with coach Ime Udoka saying that his absence was because he was getting treatment on the ankle.
“He was getting treatment regardless before (the game) and working on some things,” Udoka said after Game 3. “He was getting in the pool and trying to get some running in and do all those things to prepare. He was back there getting treatment, getting the ice and doing things you can’t do on the bench.”
Durant faced some criticism online for his absence from the bench.
Kevin Durant stats
In 78 games this season, Durant averaged 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.