Kevin Durant is not riding in to the rescue as the Houston Rockets face an elimination game against the Los Angeles Lakers without their biggest star.
Durant has been ruled out of Wednesday night’s Game 5 with a sprained ankle as his Rockets try to whittle into the Lakers’ 3-1 series lead. Durant missed Game 1 with an injured knee, played effectively in Game 2 before injuring his ankle and has not returned since.
More: Houston Rockets USA Today coverage
Meanwhile, the Lakers are hoping to get Austin Reaves (oblique) back and will be a game-time decision. He was a game-time decision in Games 3 and 4 and did not play, but is more optimistic now. Luka Doncic is out indefinitely with a hamstring injury and now seems doubtful for a potential second-round matchup with Oklahoma City.
For the first time in this series, the Lakers are favored on their home court.
What time is the Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers game today?
The Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets Game 5 is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. MDT/9 p.m. CDT Wednesday, April 29. The game at Crypto.com Arena will be televised on ESPN.
Where to watch Rockets vs Lakers Game 5?
Game 5 of the Lakers-Rockets series will be televised nationally on ESPN at 8 p.m. MDT/9 p.m. CDT Wednesday, April 29, in Los Angeles.
Lakers vs Rockets playoff schedule, TV information
Los Angeles Lakers injury report
Luka Doncic is out indefinitely with a Grade 2 hamstring strain and is unlikely to play in this series or the next. Austin Reaves is game-time decision with a Grade 2 oblique strain and is optimistic he will play. He has yet to play in this series.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets series score
The Lakers lead the best-of-7 series 3-1.
Los Angeles Lakers record
The Lakers finished the regular season 53-29. They are 3-0 in the playoffs.
Houston Rockets injury report
Kevin Durant will miss Game 5 with an ankle injury that kept him out of Games 3 and 4.
Houston Rockets record
The Houston Rockets finished the regular season 52-30. They are 1-3 in the playoffs.
Who does Lakers-Rockets winner play next?
The winner of this series will play Oklahoma City in the second round, officially the Western Conference Semifinals. The top-seeded Thunder will have home court throughout the playoffs.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets odds
From BetMGM.com
Game 3: Lakers -4 1/2. Over/under 208 1/2. Moneyline: Houston +150, Los Angeles Lakers -180.
Lakers vs. Rockets Game 5 predictions
Odds Trader: Lakers 112, Rockets 108
The site predicts that Los Angeles will win Game 5 by 4 points to win the first-round NBA playoff series in five games.
Action Network: 78% of bettors backing Lakers in Game 5
22% of bettors on the site are backing the Rockets to force a Game 6 in the game on Wednesday.
ESPN: Lakers have a 50.4% chance to beat Rockets in Game 5
The site gives Houston a 49.6% chance of defeating Los Angeles in the fifth game of the NBA playoff series.
Dimers: Lakers 106, Rockets 103
It writes: “After extensive simulations, our model gives the Rockets a win probability of 41%, while the Lakers have a win probability of 59%.”
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Is Kevin Durant playing tonight? Rockets, Lakers meet in Game 5
Reporting by Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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