Kevin Durant Set to Return for Rockets in Game 2 Against Lakers
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Houston star forward Kevin Durant has been cleared to play tonight in Game 2 of the Rockets’ playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.
Durant missed the series opener after bruising a knee tendon during practice last week. Head coach Ime Udoka told reporters before Game 2 that, if Durant suited up, he would not face a minutes restriction. The 13-time All-Star tested the knee during pregame warm-ups before receiving final approval to take the court.
“The pain tolerance is one thing, but actually moving and feeling comfortable doing all the movements is going to be the biggest thing,” Udoka said earlier in the week.
Without Durant, Houston struggled offensively and dropped Game 1, 107-98. Durant averaged 26.0 points across 78 regular-season games and owns a 29.3-point career average in 170 postseason appearances.
The matchup will reunite Durant and LeBron James in the playoffs for the first time since the 2018 NBA Finals, when Durant played for Golden State and James led Cleveland.
The Lakers remain without injured guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Source: HoopsRumors
