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Rockets’ Kevin Durant expected to miss Game 4 vs. Lakers with season on line
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- Rockets’ Kevin Durant expected to miss Game 4 vs. Lakers with season on line
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The Houston Rockets will try to avoid an embarrassing sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. While it was initially unclear whether Kevin Durant would suit up for the win-or-go-home Game 4 matchup, he's not expected to play , according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
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Durant is still listed as questionable on Sunday after missing Game 3 due to a left ankle sprain, but based on Charania's reporting, he'll likely be ruled out soon. Shams says Durant's ankle sprain is complicated by a bone bruise, an injury that would normally keep him out two to three weeks in the regular season. It has "created swelling, stiffness and lack of mobility in the ankle."
Durant did rehab Sunday morning and participated in meetings with his teammates. Ime Udoka was asked on Saturday about the likelihood of Durant returning for Game 4.
"He's getting treatment still around the clock," Udoka said via Michael Shapiro. "I think there's some soreness and [he's] pushed a lot of swelling out, but it'll be a matter of if he can go. We'll try it out, I'm sure, tomorrow morning and before the game, and we'll know his status then… Every day that goes by, the likelihood goes up. But I thought he might be ok [for Game 3] based on shootaround, and that's different going half speed then ramping it up right before a game. So you really can't tell, but he's doing everything he can to get back."
The Rockets will attempt to bounce back from an embarrassing Game 3 collapse on Sunday.
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Kevin Durant injury status vs. Lakers
Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Houston led by six points with the ball with under 30 seconds left during Game 3. However, they recorded disastrous turnovers on back-to-back possessions. Jae'Sean Tate fouled Marcus Smart on a three-point attempt after the first turnover, while LeBron James made a three after the second, forcing overtime.
The Rockets became the second team in the last 30 years to lose a playoff game after leading by six points or more with 30 seconds left in regulation. NBA teams were 1713-1 in such situations during that span before Friday.
Durant's return would have given Los Angeles another dynamic threat to worry about outside of Alperen Sengun , but even with KD in the lineup, the Lakers had no issues slowing the Rockets' offense with Durant on the court during Game 2. JJ Redick 's squad held Houston under 100 points while forcing Durant into nine turnovers during a 101-94 victory.
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Now the Rockets will try to keep their season alive without their biggest star. Even if they do force a Game 5, Durant's playing status appears to be dire moving forward.
Related: Kendrick Perkins blasts Rockets as most selfish team in playoffs
Related: Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic not playing in Game 4 of Lakers-Rockets series
