As expected, All-Star forward Kevin Durant (right knee contusion) rejoined the Rockets in Game 2 (box score) of Houston’s first-round playoff series versus the Los Angeles Lakers.
Durant missed Saturday’s Game 1 in Los Angeles, which played a large role in Houston losing the opening game of its best-of-seven series. Thus, the Rockets are hoping that Durant’s return will allow them to tie the series on Tuesday night.
Tipoff is at 9:30 p.m. Central, and the game is being televised and streamed nationally on NBC and Peacock. Durant started for the Rockets alongside Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and Josh Okogie.
In his pregame media session before Game 2, head coach Ime Udoka said Durant was testing out his knee at that time. He added that if Durant was cleared to play, there would not be a minutes restriction.
A few minutes later, after Durant’s pregame on-court workout concluded, Shams Charania — ESPN’s top NBA insider — reported that Durant was cleared to play.
Durant led Houston (52-30, No. 5 in Western Conference) in scoring this season, averaging 26.0 points (52.0% FG, 41.3% on 3-pointers), 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 36.4 minutes per game.
After missing only one game due to injury in the 2025-26 regular season, Durant bruised his knee when colliding with a teammate during last Wednesday’s practice — the first of postseason play for the Rockets.
It was undoubtedly awful timing, but both Durant and the team are hopeful that his one-game playoff absence will be the last. The NBA spreads out the first two weeks of its postseason for television purposes, so the 37-year-old was able to get almost a week’s worth of rest and rehabilitation while only missing one game.
Game 3 is Friday night in Houston, which will give Durant another two off days (after Game 2) to allow for further healing before the series resumes.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Kevin Durant rejoins Houston’s starting lineup for Game 2 at Lakers
Reporting by Ben DuBose, Rockets Wire / Rockets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
