Will Kevin Durant be able to play in Game 4 of Rockets-Lakers series? It's 'up in the air.'

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) walks into the Toyota Center before Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series at Toyota Center in Houston on Friday, April 24, 2026. Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle The Houston Rockets are down 3-0 in their playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers, and they’ve only had their superstar Kevin Durant for one of those games . So, will he be around to try to stave off a sweep? “Up in the air,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka deemed Durant’s status after the Rockets suffered a devastating 112-108 overtime loss in Friday night’s Game 3 after blowing a six-point lead in the final 30 seconds of regulation. Durant missed Game 1 with a bruised knee, then returned for Game 2, scoring 23 points in 41 minutes of the Rockets' 101-94 defeat Tuesday . Late in that game, Durant turned his ankle while trying to chase down Luke Kennard on a fast break. He remained in the game, playing through it, but his ankle swelled up on him, according to Udoka. Article continues below this ad He was a game-time decision when he arrived at Toyota Center on Friday, but eventually was ruled out. Udoka said Durant didn’t sit with the team on the bench during Game 3 because he was receiving treatment. “I think he made some progress in the last few days, but we’ll see what happens with only one day in between (games),” Udoka said after Friday’s loss. The 37-year-old Durant was incredibly durable this season, playing the second-most minutes in the NBA during the regular season, averaging 26 points per game. Houston Chronicle Logo Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Now, the Rockets will try to become the first NBA team to ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-7 playoff series. Of the previous 159 teams in this situation, only four have been able to reach a Game 7. Article continues below this ad “Whoever’s on the court, we’re going to play with them, but of course, not having our big scorer on the court is hard,” Alperen Sengun said after scoring 33 points with 16 rebounds in Friday’s loss . “We can not think about that. Hopefully, we have him back Sunday.”