Kevin Durant was a huge miss for the Houston Rockets after suffering a nine-point Game 1 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Luke Kennard's incredible game for the Purple and Gold may have played a huge role in the defeat, but the team's abysmal 37.6% shooting clip on April 18 cost them an important away win against a strong Lakers team.
Reed Sheppard led the team in scoring with his 20 points, but it's clear that Houston needs Durant's gravity and scoring to keep the Rockets competitive against a team that ranked first in field goal percentage in the regular season at 50.2%.
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Durant had to sit out of the series opener due to a bruise on his knee tendon, and the team is understandably careful with the 37-year-old's health so he can keep performing at the top level.
Fans worried about the status of their star forward received great news when ESPN's leading NBA insider Shams Charania reported on the team's decision to play the two-time Finals MVP in Game 2.
The Rockets badly need Durant's offensive dominance. His scoring takes defensive attention from the rest of the Lakers. It also allows Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson more room to operate on the floor.
Durant will be a tough defensive assignment for JJ Redick and the Lakers. The 2013-14 regular season MVP averaged 26.8 points on 55.2% shooting in the four playoff games he started for the Phoenix Suns last year.
