Is Kevin Durant playing vs. Lakers? Latest updates on Rockets star’s injury status for Game 1

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Is Kevin Durant playing vs. Lakers? Latest updates on Rockets star’s injury status for Game 1 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Lakers enter the playoffs with perhaps more injury concerns than any other team as Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves remain sidelined, but their first-round opponent isn’t without its own issues.

Rockets star Kevin Durant suffered a knee contusion in practice in the week leading up to the playoffs and is listed as questionable to play in Game 1 of Houston’s series against the Lakers.

With Doncic out, the series has been branded as one more battle between Durant and LeBron James, who will be forced to shoulder more responsibility if he wants his age-41 season to continue. Durant, meanwhile, is coming off his healthiest season in seven years in terms of games played, as he missed only four games in his age-37 campaign.

Here’s what you need to know about Durant’s injury status for Game 1 against the Lakers.

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Is Kevin Durant playing vs. Lakers?​

The Rockets listed Durant as questionable to play in Game 1 with a knee contusion. While Houston hasn’t indicated whether or not Durant is expected to play, ESPN reports the team is "optimistic his knee won't be a significant issue" during the series.

The news came as a surprise on Friday, with ESPN reporting the injury occurred during practice after the end of the regular season. It isn't clear whether Durant's "questionable" designation is just the Rockets being cautious or a serious indication his availability is at risk, but the report that Houston isn't overly concerned is positive.

Durant has a lengthy record of injuries in recent years but managed to stay on the court in his first season with the Rockets, averaging 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game across 78 contests. Houston earned the No. 5 seed in the West despite losing PG Fred VanVleet to an ACL tear before the start of the season.

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Is Kevin Durant hurt?​

Durant is dealing with a knee contusion, according to ESPN. The injury occurred in practice ahead of the playoffs, but the Rockets are reportedly "optimistic" it won't severely hinder him in the opening round.

Friday's injury designation was the first indication that Durant was dealing with an injury that might put his availability at risk.

Assuming Durant plays, he will face LeBron James in the playoffs for the first time since the 2018 NBA Finals, when the Warriors swept James and the Cavaliers. Durant has met James in the NBA Finals three times, losing with the Thunder in 2012 but winning Finals MVP honors after the Warriors rolled to wins in 2017 and 2018.

Lakers-Rockets series schedule​

The Lakers will host the Rockets in Game 1 of their first-round series on Saturday night. Here’s a complete look at the series schedule:

Date	Game	Time (ET)	TV Channel
April 18	Game 1: Rockets at Lakers	8:30 p.m.	ABC
April 21	Game 2: Rockets at Lakers	7:30 p.m.	NBC
April 24	Game 3: Lakers at Rockets	5 p.m.	Prime Video
April 26	Game 4: Lakers at Rockets	6:30 p.m.	NBC
April 29	Game 5: Rockets at Lakers*	TBA	TBA
May 1	Game 6: Lakers at Rockets*	TBA	TBA
May 3	Game 7: Rockets at Lakers*	TBA	TBA

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