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Alperen Sengun Alperen Sengun has 33/16/6 line in Game 3 loss
Fri, Apr 24, 2026, 5:35 PM
Alperen Sengun had 33 points (15-of-27 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), 16 rebounds, six assists, three steals, one block and one three-pointer in Friday's Game 3 loss to the Lakers.
Analysis: By almost any measure, Sengun had a great game in Game 3. He had 33 points, 16 rebounds and six assists. He added three steals and a block on the defensive end. He finished +10 in 47 minutes played including overtime. Still, without Kevin Durant (ankle), the Rockets collapsed down the stretch of regulation and the Lakers took total control of the series with the overtime win. Sengun and the Rockets will be playing to avoid elimination in Game 4 on Sunday. |
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Kevin Durant Shams: Kevin Durant (ankle) out for Game 3 Friday
Fri, Apr 24, 2026, 12:40 PM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports Kevin Durant (ankle) is out for Game 3 against the Lakers on Friday.
Analysis: Durant missed Game 1 with a tendon bruise in his right knee and is now set to miss Game 3 with a sprained left ankle he suffered in Game 2. Reed Sheppard is an option to move into the starting lineup with Durant out. The injury is certainly a blow to the Rockets and a break for the Lakers. |
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Kevin Durant Kevin Durant (ankle) questionable for Game 3
Thu, Apr 23, 2026, 11:21 AM
NBA Injury Report
Kevin Durant (ankle) is questionable for Friday's Game 3 against the Lakers.
Analysis: Durant, who missed Game 1 with a tendon bruise in his right knee, is now dealing with a sprained left ankle. With the Rockets in a 0-2 hole, they can ill afford to be without their best offensive player in Game 3. Reed Sheppard would return to the starting lineup if Durant can't play. |
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Kevin Durant Kevin Durant has 23 points in Game 2 loss
Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 7:43 PM
Kevin Durant had 23 points (7-of-12 FGs, 8-of-9 FTs), six rebounds, four assists, one steal, one block and one three-pointer in Tuesday's Game 2 loss to the Lakers.
Analysis: While Durant otherwise had a nice game offensively as he led the Rockets with 23 points on 12 attempts from the field, his nine turnovers in Game 2 were glaring. The 37-year-old small forward returned for Game 2 after missing the first game of the series with a knee tendon bruise. Durant and the Rockets will have to regroup and try to hold serve as the series shifts to Houston for Game 3 on Friday. |
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Kevin Durant Shams: Kevin Durant (knee) available for Game 2
Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 3:16 PM
Shams Charania
Kevin Durant (knee) is available for Tuesday's Game 2 against the Lakers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
Analysis: Durant missed Saturday's Game 1 loss to the Lakers with a knee tendon bruise. The 27-year-old small forward is back for Game 2, according to Charania. Durant will face off in the playoffs against LeBron James for the first time since the 2018 NBA Finals. |
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Kevin Durant Kevin Durant (knee) limited during Monday practice
Mon, Apr 20, 2026, 10:06 AM
Will Guillory
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said that Kevin Durant (knee) participated in about half of Monday's practice.
Analysis: Due to a right knee contusion, Durant did not play in Saturday's Game 1 loss to the Lakers. The veteran forward's ability to participate in half of Monday's session is not a good sign, even with Udoka saying that Durant will be a game-time decision for Tuesday's Game 2. Reed Sheppard moved into the starting lineup in the series opener and struggled, shooting 6-of-20 from the field in 36 minutes of action. If Durant remains out, they'll need more production from Sheppard and Alperen ?engün to avoid falling into a 0-2 hole. |
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Jabari Smith Jabari Smith Jr. posts double-double vs. Lakers
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 5:37 PM
Jabari Smith Jr. accounted for 16 points (5-of-14 FGs, 3-of-5 FTs), 12 rebounds, two steals and three three-pointers in Saturday's Game 1 loss to the Lakers.
Analysis: Smith finished Saturday's defeat with playoff career-highs in points and rebounds, recording his first postseason double-double. He shot 3-of-9 from beyond the arc in Game 1, with the percentage being a few points lower than his mark during the regular season (36.3 percent). Smith is one of many Rockets who benefit from Kevin Durant's presence on the floor; the veteran scorer did not play on Saturday due to a right knee contusion. If Durant can return for Tuesday's Game 2, it would be unsurprising if Smith offered a more efficient stat line. |
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Amen Thompson Amen Thompson scores 17 points in Game 1 defeat
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 5:35 PM
Amen Thompson notched 17 points (7-of-18 FGs, 3-of-5 FTs), seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals and one blocked shot in Saturday's Game 1 loss to the Lakers.
Analysis: After scoring a career-high 41 points in his final outing of the regular season, Thompson was held to less than half that number on Saturday. While he didn't have a terrible night shooting the basketball, the Rockets' guard's inability to consistently hit jumpers can put him in a challenging spot when the opposition is locked in defensively. The Lakers were able to make Thompson play in a crowd for most of Game 1, limiting his effectiveness as a scorer. Getting Kevin Durant (knee) back for Tuesday's Game 2 will help the entire Rockets' roster, not just Thompson. |
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Alperen Sengun Alperen ?engün records 19/8/6/2/1 line vs. Lakers
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 5:34 PM
Alperen ?engün finished Saturday's Game 1 loss to the Lakers with 19 points (6-of-19 FGs, 7-of-9 FTs), eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and one blocked shot.
Analysis: With no Kevin Durant (knee) in the fold for Game 1, this felt like a spot in which the Rockets would run even more of their offense through ?engün. While he did attempt 19 shots, there were moments when ?engün was not as involved in the offense as he should be. The final stat line was solid, but the Rockets are going to need more from him, regardless of Durant's availability for the rest of the series. Houston will look to even the series at one game apiece on Tuesday night. |
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Kevin Durant Kevin Durant (knee) downgraded to out vs. Lakers
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 1:10 PM
Dave McMenamin
Kevin Durant (knee) is out for Saturday's Game 1 against the Lakers.
Analysis: Initially questionable, Durant will miss Saturday's series-opener due to a right knee contusion. During his pregame availability, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said that he hopes this is a one-game issue. With no Durant, Reed Sheppard will move into the starting lineup after coming off the bench the last time that Houston was close to full strength. |
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Kevin Durant Kevin Durant (knee) questionable Saturday vs. LAL
Fri, Apr 17, 2026, 2:14 PM
Law Murray
Kevin Durant (knee) is questionable to play against the Lakers on Saturday.
Analysis: Durant's status comes after resting in the regular-season finale against the Grizzlies. Now with Game 1 approaching, his uncertain availability is undoubtedly worth monitoring. Durant, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, averaged 26.0 points and 4.8 assists per game this season. If unable to go, his superstar production will be missed in Game 1, which will be without Luka Don?i? and Austin Reaves on the Lakers' side. |
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Tari Eason Tari Eason has 20 points, eight boards in win
Sun, Apr 12, 2026, 4:53 PM
Tari Eason had 20 points (8-of-17 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), eight rebounds, three assists and one three-pointer in Sunday's win over the Grizzlies.
Analysis: Eason and Clint Capela moved into the starting lineup with Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun resting on the last day of the regular season. Both reserves had outstanding games. Eason is known for scoring points in bunches off the bench, which should be valuable for the Rockets in the playoffs. |
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Clint Capela Clint Capela has double-double in win over Memphis
Sun, Apr 12, 2026, 4:48 PM
Clint Capela had 23 points (9-of-11 FGs, 4-of-7 FTs), 13 rebounds, one assist, one steal, three blocks and one three-pointer in the Rockets' 132-101 victory over the Grizzlies on Sunday.
Analysis: Capela started, played 23 minutes and had a double-double in the win over the Grizzlies on Sunday. There's not much more you could want out of the 31-year-old big man on the last day of the regular season. Capela will go back to his reserve role in the Rockets' first round playoff series. |
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Amen Thompson Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. out vs. Memphis
Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 4:43 PM
NBA Injury Report
Amen Thompson (rest) and Jabari Smith Jr. (rest) are out for Sunday's game against the Grizzlies.
Analysis: The Rockets don't have playoff seeding to play for, as Friday's loss to the Timberwolves locked them into the No. 5 seed in the West. Thompson and Smith will get Sunday night off, which should mean more playing time for Aaron Holiday and Jae'Sean Tate. |
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Kevin Durant Kevin Durant, Alperen ?engün out vs. Memphis
Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 4:36 PM
NBA Injury Report
Kevin Durant (rest) and Alperen ?engün (rest) are out for Sunday's game against the Grizzlies.
Analysis: With Friday's loss to the Timberwolves, the Rockets are locked into the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference. Since there isn't anything on the line on Sunday, Reed Sheppard is the lone starter who will play. Tari Eason and Clint Capela should benefit from Durant and ?engün sitting. |
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Alperen Sengun Alperen ?engün drops 22 points, eight assists
Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 6:19 PM
Alperen ?engün amassed 22 points (10-of-13 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), six rebounds, eight assists and one blocked shot in Friday's loss to the Timberwolves.
Analysis: After totaling 20 points on 9-of-29 shooting from the field in his prior two games, ?engün had a good night scoring-wise against the Timberwolves. The Rockets' center goes into Sunday's regular-season finale having scored 20 points or more in three of his last six appearances. ?engün's final stat line was solid, and it's possible that he'll be done until the playoffs. The Rockets will be the No. 5 seed regardless of the outcome of their game against the Grizzlies, so that could be a spot for ?engün to rest. |
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Kevin Durant Kevin Durant posts 33/7/7/1/2 line vs. Minnesota
Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 6:19 PM
Kevin Durant recorded 33 points (13-of-18 FGs, 7-of-9 FTs), seven rebounds, seven assists, one steal and two blocks in Friday's loss to the Timberwolves.
Analysis: Durant has scored 30 points or more in 29 games this season, including Friday. However, the Rockets' forward did his damage inside the three-point line, as he missed his lone three-point attempts. Minnesota struggled to come up with an answer for Durant in the mid-range and around the basket, as he shot 13-of-17 from two. The rebounds and assists were also good for fantasy managers in active leagues. Friday's defeat and the Lakers' win over the Suns locked Houston into the No. 5 seed in the West, making it possible that Durant won't play on Sunday against the Grizzlies. |
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Amen Thompson Amen Thompson scores career-high 41 points
Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 6:18 PM
Amen Thompson finished Friday's loss to the Timberwolves with 41 points (17-of-22 FGs, 7-of-7 FTs), nine rebounds, seven assists, one steal and one blocked shot.
Analysis: Thompson came out hot on Friday, as his 24 first-half points were the most in a half for him in his NBA career. The Rockets' athletic wing finished with his first 40-point game while also recording nine rebounds and seven assists. Thompson's offensive ceiling would be raised considerably if he could develop a consistent perimeter shot, but many teams struggle to keep Amen away from the basket as it is. |
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Tari Eason Tari Eason (illness) available vs. Minnesota
Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 1:54 PM
Lachard Binkley
Tari Eason (illness) is available to play against the Timberwolves on Friday.
Analysis: Eason will play through this illness for a second straight game. He played 27 minutes off the bench on Thursday and contributed 15 points, eight rebounds, two steals and three triples. Eason should play a similar role in this game. |
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Tari Eason Tari Eason (illness) questionable Friday vs. MIN
Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 10:02 AM
NBA Injury Report
Tari Eason (illness) is questionable for Friday's tilt with the Timberwolves.
Analysis: Eason played through the illness on Thursday against the 76ers, but he could be held out for the second leg of Houston's back-to-back set. If Eason is ultimately sidelined, Josh Okogie and Jae'Sean Tate could earn some additional run. |
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