The Houston Rockets have won back-to-back games against the Los Angeles Lakers without Kevin Durant. The former NBA MVP has been sidelined by an ankle injury and has been forced to sit out Games 3 through 5 of their first-round NBA playoffs series.
Despite Durant’s absence, the Rockets have now staved off elimination twice. After dropping the first three games, Houston has crawled back into the series, which now stands at 3-2.
The Rockets are now aiming to force a do-or-die Game 7 by securing a win at home on Friday in Game 6.
They have not ruled out 16-time All-Star’s return for the pivotal matchup in the team’s latest Durant injury update.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Thursday that Durant will be out for Game 6. Charania explained that Durant is just over one week in his recovery from a bone bruise in his ankle, which is a “two-week minimum injury.”
Nevertheless, the Rockets have not shut the door on Durant returning for Friday’s game. The team decided to upgrade Durant to doubtful in the injury report, providing a sliver of hope.
The doubtful status indicates a strong possibility that Durant sits out again, which aligns with Charania’s report. However, doubtful is still better than being ruled out completely.
The good news for the Rockets is that they have beaten the Lakers with Durant watching from the sidelines. They’ve already done it twice in a row, including their Game 5 win in L.A. on Wednesday.
Houston needs another season-saving win on Friday at Toyota Center — with or without Durant.
