The absence of All-Star Kevin Durant (right knee contusion) was a huge story in Houston’s Game 1 loss in Los Angeles.
Game 2 of the best-of-seven, first-round playoff series is slated for Tuesday night. And while the Rockets are again listing Durant as questionable to play, as he was prior to Game 1, there appears to be more hope this time around.
Via The Athletic’s Will Guillory, who attended Monday’s team practice:
Durant appeared to be in good spirits as he put up shots with his teammates after practice, and he moved around the court fairly well as he went through drills. On Saturday, Durant was clearly limited as he tried to go through his pregame warm-up, which played a major role in his sitting out.
Although a final decision on Durant’s status won’t be made until Tuesday, there appears to be some optimism that the Rockets’ leading scorer will be back for Game 2.
ESPN’s Shams Charania used the word optimistic in his update, as well, in reference to the team’s perspective.
Game 2 tips off at 9:30 p.m. Central time on Tuesday. It will be televised and streamed to a national audience via NBC and Peacock.
“He went through about half of the (practice),” head coach Ime Udoka told reporters of Durant’s status. “I would say mobility probably (is most important). The pain tolerance is one thing, but actually moving and feeling comfortable doing all the movements is going to be the biggest thing.”
Durant, 37, suffered the injury when he bumped knees with a teammate during last Wednesday’s practice in Houston. The amount of time between when the injury occurred and Saturday’s Game 1 will have doubled by the time of Tuesday’s Game 2, which could allow the bruising to at least somewhat subside.
Durant had some tape and a bandage on the area during Monday’s practice, as shown on video updates.
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.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Reports: Rockets optimistic for Kevin Durant return in Game 2 at Lakers
Reporting by Ben DuBose, Rockets Wire / Rockets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
