Rockets’ Kevin Durant (knee) questionable for Game 1 vs. Lakers

Houston Rockets superstar Kevin Durant is listed as questionable for Saturday’s inaugural game against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a right knee contusion.

An ESPN source indicated that Durant sustained the injury during a practice session this week, though the Rockets remain optimistic his knee won’t be a significant hindrance during the series.

The fourth-seeded Lakers enter the series short-handed, missing key players Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) because of injuries sustained during their April 2 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick stated on Tuesday that both Doncic and Reaves are out “indefinitely,” with no further updates anticipated this week.

Durant, aged 37, averaged 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game in his initial season with the Rockets. He participated in 78 games, his highest tally in a season since the 2018-19 campaign.