Health will undoubtedly be on the side of the Houston Rockets against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the NBA playoffs, but they had a curious addition to the injury report on Friday.
Kevin Durant is questionable for Game 1 on Saturday with a right knee contusion. Per ESPN, the injury was sustained in practice this week, but the Rockets are optimistic it won’t be a significant issue this series.
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Durant played all but four games this season for the Rockets, who opted to rest him for their regular season finale on Sunday. Assuming he does play, he will be seeking his first playoff win since 2023.
It will be the Lakers with the bigger issues, as their two stars Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves remain out indefinitely with a hamstring and oblique strain, respectively. It’s unclear when they will be able to return, if the Lakers even make it past the Rockets.
Even after Durant’s injury was reported, the Rockets remain -600 favorites at BetMGM to reach the Western Conference semifinals, where the defending champion and top seed Oklahoma City Thunder are likely to be waiting.
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