Kevin Durant enhancing, however Recreation 4 standing vs. Lakers unclear
HOUSTON — Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka mentioned Saturday that injured star Kevin Durant was doing higher however that his standing for Recreation 4 in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday evening was nonetheless unclear with the Rockets going through elimination.
Durant missed Recreation 3 with a sprained left ankle Friday evening, when the Rockets blew a six-point lead with lower than 30 seconds to go in regulation of an eventual 112-108 additional time loss to fall to 0-3 within the first-round collection. He is formally listed as questionable for Recreation 4.
“He is getting therapy nonetheless across the clock,” Udoka mentioned. “I believe there’s some soreness and [he’s] pushed a whole lot of swelling out, however it’ll be a matter of if he can go. We’ll strive it out I am certain tomorrow morning and earlier than the sport, and we’ll know his standing then.”
Udoka was requested how possible he believes it’s that Durant will play Sunday because the Rockets attempt to keep away from being swept within the best-of-seven Western Convention collection.
“Daily that goes by, the chance goes up,” he mentioned. “However I assumed he is perhaps OK [Friday] based mostly on shootaround and that is completely different going half pace after which ramping it up proper earlier than a recreation. And so you actually cannot inform, however he is doing all the things he can to get again.”
In the meantime, the Lakers once more listed star guard Austin Reaves as questionable for Recreation 4. He had the identical harm designation forward of Recreation 3 earlier than he was ultimately dominated out. Luka Doncic is out once more, in accordance with the Lakers.
Durant missed the opener of the collection due to a bruised proper knee. He returned for Recreation 2, scoring 23 factors in 41 minutes of the 101-94 loss, throughout which he injured his ankle late within the recreation.
His harm issues this postseason got here after Durant second within the league within the common season by enjoying 2,840 minutes.
Durant, 37, who’s in his first season in Houston after an offseason commerce from Phoenix, is the fifth-leading scorer in NBA historical past.
The Related Press contributed to this story.
