Rockets Lakers Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt, left, and Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason go after a rebound during the second half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Los Angeles.

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Kevin Durant misses playoff opener with knee injury, and the Rockets can't make up for his absence

Kevin Durant misses playoff opener with knee injury, and the Rockets can't make up for his absence

Kevin Durant was ruled out of Houston’s playoff opener against the Los Angeles Lakers with a bruised right knee about 90 minutes before tipoff. The rest of the Rockets were neither ready nor able to pick up the slack. Houston is in an early postseason hole and the Lakers are feeling awfully good about their upset chances after Los Angeles’ 107-98 victory. Both teams were without their top scorer, but only the Lakers responded to the challenge. With Durant, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves — a combined 82.8 points per game — all watching in street clothes, Los Angeles controlled Game 1.