Rockets star Kevin Durant ruled out for crucial Game 5 vs. Lakers
TL;DR
Kevin Durant will miss Game 5 of the Rockets-Lakers playoff series due to a left ankle sprain. This injury has also kept him out of Games 3 and 4.
Key points
- Kevin Durant ruled out for Game 5
- Injury due to left ankle sprain
- Missed Games 3 and 4 as well
An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Kevin Durant will miss Game 4 of the Rockets-Lakers first round series in the NBA's Western Conference playoffs. , Image 2 shows Kevin Durant standing on the basketball court during the NBA Playoffs, wearing a camouflage hoodie and black beanie
Rockets star Kevin Durant won’t be available for Game 5 of the Lakers-Rockets first round playoff series on Wednesday.
Durant was ruled out due to a left ankle sprain, the same injury that sidelined him for Games 3 and 4.
Kevin Durant will miss Wednesday’s Game 5 of the Lakers-Rockets first round series in the NBA’s Western Conference playoffs. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
He suffered the injury during the Lakers’ Game 2 win on April 21 in Los Angeles.
Durant also missed Game 1 of the best-of-seven series because of a right knee contusion.
He made his return in Game 2, but the Lakers beat the Rockets, 101-94, with Durant suffering the ankle injury late in the game before missing both matchups in Houston.
Houston star Kevin Durant, who led the Rockets in scoring at 26 ppg this season, will miss Game 5 vs. the Lakers Wednesday night recovering from a left ankle injury. NBAE via Getty Images
Durant was the Rockets’ leading scorer for the 2025-26 season, averaging 26 points in 78 games.
“Talking to him about it is tough when you play the amount of games he has this year, really one game due to the ankle injury, and playing the minutes that he did and competitor that he is and commitment that he’s made to the team with a lot of guys being in and out this year,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said ahead of Game 4. “And so unfortunate for us and him that he’s missing this time of year, but it’s hard, no doubt, for a guy that wants to play and plays as much as he does to be out at this point in the season, this is very tough. So feel bad for him and our team in general. But like I said, we’ve proven we can do it without him.”
Game 5 of Lakers-Rockets will tip off at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena.
Q&A
Why is Kevin Durant missing Game 5 against the Lakers?
Kevin Durant is missing Game 5 due to a left ankle sprain.
How many games has Kevin Durant missed in the playoff series against the Lakers?
Kevin Durant has missed Games 3, 4, and now Game 5 in the playoff series against the Lakers.
What is the significance of Game 5 in the Rockets-Lakers series?
Game 5 is crucial as it can determine the momentum and potential outcome of the first round playoff series.
