Reports: Rockets not expecting Kevin Durant to play in Game 6

Field Level Media|published: 04/30/2026, 10:57am EDT

Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) as he drives to the basket during the second half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

If the Rockets force a Game 7 with a third consecutive win in the best-of-seven playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston will have to get there without Kevin Durant.

According to multiple reports, Durant is down for a fourth game in a row and unavailable for Friday's game in Houston. The Rockets fell behind 3-0 in the series but have won back-to-back games. Durant has played only 41 minutes in the series -- all in Game 2 -- when he suffered a bone bruise in his left ankle.

ESPN reported Durant is unlikely to play for two weeks while recovering from the injury suffered on April 21.

If the Rockets take Game 6 on Friday night, Game 7 in Los Angeles would be played Sunday, 12 days after Durant was first hurt.

Durant, 37, averaged 26 points per game in the regular season.

--Field Level Media