Kevin Durant injury timeline vs. Lakers: Every missed game for Rockets star in LeBron James playoff series

Kevin Durant injury timeline vs. Lakers: Every missed game for Rockets star in LeBron James playoff series originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Houston Rockets stand just two wins away from becoming the first NBA team to come back from a 3-0 series deficit. Unfortunately for them, they will need to win tonight’s Game 6 without star Kevin Durant.

For the fourth-straight game in Houston’s opening round series against the Los Angeles Lakers, Durant will be sidelined from a left ankle sprain he picked up during the team’s Game 2 loss. Before this, he had already missed the first game of the series after hitting knees with a teammate in a pre-series practice.

The Lakers recently got forward Austin Reaves back from an oblique injury, and the team is still without star Luka Doncic due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain. However, the Rockets are still waiting for Durant to play a full game this series without picking up an injury.

Here’s a game-by-game look at Durant’s availability during the first round of the playoffs.

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Kevin Durant injury timeline vs. Lakers

After playing 78 games during the 2025-26 regular season, Durant will have already missed five games once tonight’s Game 6 against the Lakers concludes. In this first series alone, the star has picked up two different injuries that have hindered Houston’s performances.

Durant’s string of injuries has made NBA fans question what would have happened if Durant had played most, if not all, of the five games already played. Here is a full rundown of his game attendance during the team’s series against Los Angeles.

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Game 1

Durant began his 2026 NBA Playoffs campaign sitting on the bench. In a practice session prior to the series, Durant picked up a right knee contusion that sidelined him for the team’s 107-98 loss.

During the practice, the star reportedly banged knees with a teammate. After the injury was looked at by physicians, it was determined that the injury wouldn’t keep him out long-term.

Houston Rockets’ Kevin Durant will miss Game 1 against the Lakers tonight due to a right knee injury.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 18, 2026

Game 2

The star returned to action during the second game of the series. Despite playing 41 minutes and putting up 23 points, six rebounds, and four assists, the team was unable to equalize the series. They fell 101-94 and sat in a two-game deficit heading back to Houston.

However, the in-game loss was not the worst news to come from this game. Late in the fourth quarter, Durant appeared to sprain his ankle while crashing the boards. His ankle turned on Luke Kennard’s shoe, but the Houston star originally ran it off during the game.

Kevin Durant appeared to sprain his ankle on this play and will miss Game 3 vs. the Lakers pic.twitter.com/LXQCHYtFFF

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 24, 2026

Game 3

Game 3 marked the first full game Durant missed during the team’s series against Los Angeles. At the time, it was unknown how severe his injury was, but Shams Charania tweeted roughly three hours before tipoff. 

Houston’s Kevin Durant has been ruled out for Game 3 tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a left ankle sprain, sources tell ESPN.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 24, 2026

Despite a hard-fought game without their star, the team lost 112-108 in overtime and fell in a notorious 3-0 series deficit.

MORE: Revisiting iconic matchups between LeBron James and Kevin Durant

Game 4

Durant missed his second-straight game of the series with his left ankle sprain. Despite his absence, the team picked up their first win of the series, 115-96 in front of their home crowd.

According to Charania, if Durant’s ankle injury had happened during the regular season, he would have been sidelined two to three weeks.

Houston’s Kevin Durant is expected to miss Game 4 against the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell ESPN. Durant has a bone bruise in his sprained ankle, which would sideline him 2 to 3 weeks in season. He’s had around-the-clock treatment to play but has not been cleared by doctors. pic.twitter.com/DpOdclPEAw

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 26, 2026

Game 5

Wednesday’s Game 5 saw two trends continue: a Rockets win and a Durant absence. Durant missed his third-straight playoff game against the Lakers. However, his squad was still able to find a way to narrowly get by Los Angeles 99-93.

Game 6

Just under nine hours before tipoff in the Rockets’ must-win game, it was reported that Durant would be missing his fourth straight game and fifth total of the series. He was originally slated as doubtful, but Vanessa Richardson reported that he was downgraded to out.

Kevin Durant officially downgraded from doubtful to out for Game 6.

— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) May 1, 2026

If Houston were to win tonight’s game, it remains to be seen whether Durant will return to action for Game 7 in Los Angeles.

What is Kevin Durant’s injury?

For the past four games, Durant has been sidelined with a left ankle sprain he got during the team’s Game 2 loss. He landed awkwardly on Kennard’s shoe and, in turn, twisted it pretty badly.

Just before the Rockets’ playoff series, Durant missed the opening game due to a right knee contusion picked up in practice. He banged knees with a teammate, and the bruise was severe enough to hold him out of the team’s opening playoff game.

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When will Kevin Durant return?

It is currently unknown when Durant will return to action for his team. However, with a win in tonight’s Game 6, the team would likely do everything in their effort to have their star back for a chance to be the first NBA team to come back from a 3-0 series deficit.

As Charania previously tweeted, if Durant’s injury were to have happened during the regular season, he would have been sidelined anywhere from two to three weeks. May 1st marks one week since Durant was first ruled out with a left ankle sprain.