Kevin Durant is set to return for Game 2 of the Rockets’ series against the Lakers on Tuesday night, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The star forward sat out Game 1 because of a knee tendon bruise he suffered during a practice session last week.
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka shared before the game that Durant went through pregame warmups to test the injury and, if active, would not be limited in his playing time.
“The pain tolerance is one thing, but actually moving and feeling comfortable doing all the movements is going to be the biggest thing,” Udoka said after the team’s practice this week.
Without Durant, Houston struggled to find offensive rhythm in a 107-98 loss in Game 1. The Lakers, playing without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, were able to take advantage.
Durant, a 16-time All-Star, averaged 26.0 points across 78 games this season and holds a career playoff average of 29.3 points in 170 appearances.
His return also sets up a notable matchup with LeBron James, marking the first time the two have faced each other since the 2018 NBA Finals, when Durant was with Golden State and James was leading Cleveland.
Kevin Durant Cleared To Play Game 2 https://t.co/C9LkBC3bRw pic.twitter.com/DMJCYY6pOW
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) April 22, 2026
