Kevin Durant missed Game 1 of the first-round playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Rockets with a knee tendon bruise. He returned in Game 2, hoping to lead Houston to a win to tie the series at 1-1, but LA came out on top again. Well, he's back on the injury report again, listed as questionable for Game 3 with a left ankle sprain.
Momentum was already on the Lakers' side, but now, it's looking even more like they could sweep the Rockets (something they haven't done in the playoffs since 2010), especially if KD doesn't play. And if he does, his ankle could keep him from the takeover Houston needs to avoid a 3-0 deficit.
The Rockets have dealt with injuries to key players this season, from Fred VanVleet to Steven Adams, making Durant's absence in Game 1 and possibly Game 3 sting that much worse.
Let's not act like the Lakers haven't been in a similar position, though. Did I mention they were without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves in the first two games of the series? Dončić's potential return is still up in the air, but Reaves is questionable for Friday. So, about those chances of this series ending in a sweep.
Kevin Durant listed as questionable for Game 3 versus Lakers
Imagine saying at the start of the calendar year that Los Angeles would possibly sweep its first-round playoff opponent, much less make it to the second round without a sweep. Even the optimists would've had a hard time believing that.
The shift the Lakers experienced in March changed everything, putting them on a path to make some actual noise in the playoffs. Dončić was the best player in the league during that stretch; Reaves fully stepped into the role as his co-star, and LeBron excelled as the third option. Things were clicking at the right time until the beginning of April, when the starting backcourt went down with injuries.
Just like that, the Lakers' chances of advancing past the first round, at the least, dropped.
Well, about that. It has worked out even better than expected for Los Angeles, as drawing Houston in the first round was the best-case scenario. It's gone in their favor so far, giving them extra time for a Reaves and/or Dončic return.
No matter how good Durant is, he can't do it alone, and he certainly can't do it injured. Hopefully, he'll be cleared to play tomorrow, but if not, the Lakers' odds of waking up on Saturday with a 3-0 lead will jump up, and that's not factoring in Reaves.
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