Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant will miss Monday’s game in Phoenix and Wednesday’s contest at Golden State tending to a family matter, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Sunday.
To say the least, it’s a significant blow to the Rockets’ chances in those games. A perennial All-Star, the 37-year-old is Houston’s leading scorer this season, averaging 24.6 points per game on 48.5% shooting and 36.4% from 3-point range.
The Rockets (10-4) enter this week with 10 wins in their last 12 games, overall. Both the Suns (10-6) and Warriors (9-9) are at .500 or better in the 2025-26 season, so neither game will be easy for Houston to win, without Durant.
In the absence of their leading scorer, expect players such as center Alperen Sengun, forward Amen Thompson, and guard Reed Sheppard to get additional opportunities. The Rockets could potentially start Sheppard in Durant’s place to help fill the scoring and playmaking void, and Thompson is large enough to slide over into more of a wing role.
After Wednesday’s game at Golden State Houston won’t play again until next Sunday, Nov. 30, at Utah. That would be a full week since Durant left the team, so the hope is that he’ll be able to return, by that time.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Kevin Durant to miss Houston’s next two games tending to family matter
Reporting by Ben DuBose, Rockets Wire / Rockets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
