Rockets Dealt Tough Blow Before Game 6 vs Lakers

The Houston Rockets kept their NBA title hopes alive on Wednesday night with an impressive 99-93 victory over LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

After Los Angeles took a 3-0 lead in the series, the Rockets have bounced back with consecutive wins and can even the series at home in Game 6. Houston’s victories are that much more impressive given the fact the team played without future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant for much of the series.

Durant missed his third straight game on Wednesday night after suffering a bone bruise in his left ankle. The 2014 NBA MVP suffered the injury near the end of Houston’s loss in Game 2.

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Durant did not play in the series opener because of bruised tendon in his right knee, but returned for Game 2, scoring 23 points in 41 minutes before injuring his left ankle late in the contest.

Now he’s set to miss a fourth straight game according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

According to Charania, Durant’s injury generally carries a minimum two-week timetable for returning to play.

The 16-time All-Star averaged 26.0 points per game, leading the Rockets in his first season with the team while playing in 78 games. He added 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.

Game 6 tips off at 9:30 p.m. ET on May 1.

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This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 9:14 AM.