With bruised knee, Kevin Durant questionable for Rockets-Lakers Game 1

The Los Angeles Lakers might not be the only team missing an All-Star to open their 2026 first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets.

Kevin Durant is listed as questionable for Saturday’s Game 1 with a right knee contusion, according to the NBA’s latest injury report. That could indicate that Durant banged knees at one of this week’s practices, or perhaps suffered a fall to the court.

The next update from the Rockets will come when head coach Ime Udoka meets with the media about an hour-and-a-half prior to Saturday night’s tipoff in Los Angeles.

Should Durant be unavailable, reserves Tari Eason and Reed Sheppard would presumably be in line for increased minutes and scoring opportunities. Incumbent starters Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr. could all have their usage increase, as well.

The first three Rockets-Lakers games all have two off days between games, so that could provide Durant with additional time to rest, if needed. Game 2 is Tuesday night, also in Los Angeles.

With Los Angeles (53-29, No. 4 in Western Conference) expected to be without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves — the two leading scorers on the Lakers — for most or all of the series, Houston . However, any uncertainty surrounding Durant could make the series much more of a toss up.