Rockets Confirm Unfortunate Kevin Durant News Before Game 6 vs Lakers

The Houston Rockets will be without superstar forward Kevin Durant for their win-or-go-home Game 6 matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.

Durant was listed as doubtful to play on the Rockets’ initial injury report, and was officially downgraded to out on Friday afternoon.

Durant missed Game 1 of the Rockets’ first-round series after he suffered a knee contusion during a practice session earlier in the week. He returned to the court for Game 2, but suffered a left ankle sprain during the second half.

Durant has not played in each of Houston’s last three games.

Without Durant on the court, the Rockets staved off elimination in back-to-back games in Game 4 and Game 5. After beginning the series with a 3-0 deficit against LeBron James and the Lakers, the team now trails 3-2 heading into Game 6 at Houston’s Toyota Center.

Before Game 5, Rockets coach Ime Udoka called Durant’s injury a “day-to-day” issue.

"It is day-to-day, game-to-game,” Udoka said. “But we'll have to get on the court and do some things, and he didn't participate in practice today. But he's doing the conditioning and other aspects to try to get back."

Durant’s ankle injury typically has a minimum two-week recovery period, according to NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN. If the Rockets win Game 6, Game 7 would be 12 days removed from his injury.

Friday night’s game will tipoff at 9:30 p.m. ET.

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This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 11:42 AM.