Kevin Durant Sidelined for Game 1 Against Lakers with Right Knee Contusion
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The Houston Rockets ruled out forward Kevin Durant for Saturday’s Game 1 of the first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers because of a right knee contusion, the team announced.
Durant, 37, was initially listed as questionable after he collided with a teammate during practice on Thursday. Head coach Ime Udoka confirmed before tip-off that the 16-time All-Star will not play. Rookie guard Reed Sheppard will move into the starting lineup in Durant’s absence.
The injury interrupts a season in which Durant appeared in 78 games—the most he has played since the 2018-19 campaign—and averaged 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting 52.0 percent from the field and 43.4 percent from three-point range. Earlier this year he dealt with an ankle problem, continuing a recent pattern of lower-leg issues.
Houston entered the series as a heavy favorite, particularly with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves already sidelined for Los Angeles. The anticipated matchup between Durant and LeBron James will have to wait at least until Game 2.
The Rockets will monitor Durant’s status daily as the best-of-seven series progresses.
Source: LakersNation.com
