Rockets rule Kevin Durant (ankle) out for Game 5 vs. Lakers

Atlantic76ersCelticsKnicksNetsRaptorsCentralBucksBullsCavaliersPacersPistonsSoutheastHawksHeatHornetsMagicWizardsSouthwestGrizzliesMavericksPelicansRocketsSpursNorthwestJazzNuggetsThunderTimberwolvesTrail BlazersPacificClippersKingsLakersSunsWarriorsScores & ScheduleStandingsThe Bounce NewsletterNBA DraftPodcastsFantasyNBA OddsNBA PicksWhat Makes Up Championship DNA?Hollinger's Playoff PreviewPlayer Poll: Who is the MVP?Player Poll: Who Will Win Title?NBA Playoffs Kevin Durant will miss another game of the Rockets' first-round series against the Lakers. Tim Warner / Getty Images Share article1The Houston Rockets ruled out star forward Kevin Durant for their Game 5 matchup on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Lakers. Durant has missed all but one game of the first-round series due to injuries to his ankle and knee. The 37-year-old missed only four regular-season games in his first season with Houston after a blockbuster trade last summer, averaging 26.0 points per game. The Rockets will enter Wednesday’s Game 5 in Los Angeles trailing the Lakers 3-1 in the series. Houston finished the regular season 52-30 and secured the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference. In Durant’s lone appearance for the series, he scored 23 points on 7-of-12 shooting in a Game 2 loss. Houston was outscored by two points in his 41 minutes on the court. During his 18th NBA season, he averaged 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 78 regular season. Houston went 4-0 in the regular-season games he missed. Durant’s scarce involvement for the series has run contrary to what many expected in what could be his final playoff series against LeBron James. They previously matched up in the NBA Finals three times (2017, 2016, 2012), with the latter years resulting in consecutive titles and finals MVPs by Durant. Durant and James are two of six players with consecutive NBA Finals MVPs. The Rockets won 52-games for the second consecutive season but are still searching for the first playoff series win since 2020. Durant was acquired to be the veteran leader, No. 1 scoring option and final piece for a Rockets franchise with hopes for its first championship since consecutive titles in 1994 and 1995. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms