Rockets star Kevin Durant sits out Game 3 vs. Lakers with ankle sprain

HOUSTON -- All-Star forward Kevin Durant sat out Friday’s Game 3 versus the Los Angeles Lakers with a sprained left ankle, which he suffered late in the previous game.

Ime Udoka, head coach of the Rockets, said pregame that Durant’s ankle had experienced swelling and was still tender, as of earlier in the day.

Durant was questionable for the first two games of the first-round series with a right knee contusion, sitting out Game 1 before playing in Game 2. The latest injury is to his other leg.

After missing only one game due to injury in the entire 2025-26 regular season, Durant has now missed two of Houston’s first three postseason games due to injury.

Game 3 (box score) is of pivotal importance to the Rockets, who enter trailing the best-of-seven series by a 2-0 margin. No team in the history of the NBA playoffs has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit to advance.

With Durant sidelined, the Rockets started Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun on Friday night. In contrast to the Durant-less Game 1, when the Rockets used Josh Okogie and not Eason alongside those other four starters, it seems Udoka and the Rockets are erring on the side of more offense this time around.