Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant remains a game-time decision for Sunday’s Game 4, head coach Ime Udoka said Saturday, less than 24 hours before tipoff. Durant missed Friday’s Game 3 loss with a sprained left ankle.
Udoka noted that swelling in the ankle has subsided, but soreness persists. “Every day that goes by, the likelihood of Kevin playing goes up,” the coach told reporters. “He went through shootaround Friday and looked fine at half speed, but that’s different from ramping up right before a game.”
Durant was not on the bench during Game 3 because he was undergoing treatments, including an underwater treadmill session. Udoka added he did not realize the severity of the injury during Game 2; swelling and pain became apparent the following day. The former MVP also sat out the series opener with a right knee issue.
With Houston trailing the best-of-seven series 3-0, Udoka said the deficit will not influence Sunday’s decision. “If he can play, he will,” the coach stated.
Rockets dig deep into lineup
Udoka used 13 players in Friday’s defeat, giving seldom-used forward Dorian Finney-Smith 11 minutes and 39-year-old center Jeff Green nearly eight. Josh Okogie saw only four minutes because of back tightness, while Aaron Holiday logged five minutes while managing an adductor issue.
Fox disputes technical in Spurs win
San Antonio guard De’Aaron Fox expressed frustration over a second-quarter technical foul during Friday’s victory in Portland. The call came after Fox’s elbow struck Deni Avdija on a floater. An offensive foul was overturned on a Spurs challenge, but the technical for arguing remained.
“It was an awful call,” Fox said, insisting he stayed within his vertical plane. “Don’t play defense with your face.”
Pelicans continue organizational overhaul
The New Orleans Pelicans have dismissed several long-time employees over the past two weeks as executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars seeks to shift the franchise’s culture. Some vacancies could be filled shortly, but assistant-coaching hires will wait until a new head coach is in place, according to a source familiar with the process.
Source: Hoops Rumors
