Kevin Durant Injury Update Takes Odd Turn After Teammate's Admission
Kevin Durant's injury situation has taken a slightly strange turn at the worst possible time for the Rockets. Houston is already down 0-3 against the Lakers and staring at a possible first-round sweep, so every update on Durant's health matters right now.
But instead of getting more clarity, things became even murkier after one of his teammates admitted he did not really know how Durant was feeling. That answer has raised new questions about whether Durant has been rehabbing away from the team, how much his teammates actually know about his recovery, and whether everything is as connected behind the scenes as it should be during a must-win playoff moment.David McMenamin of ESPN provided an update on what he learnt from Durant's teammate when asking him about KD's return.
David McMenamin says Kevin Durant's teammates have no idea what's going on with him, raising questions about whether KD is rehabbing away from the team and whether his teammates have been checking on him
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He said, "Amen Thompson was asked about an hour ago how KD is feeling and he said, to be honest with you I don't know. Whether that means KD has been doing all of his rehab away from the team or the team has not necessarily been checking in on him, that is another dynamic to look for."
Kevin Durant Still Doubtful for Game Four
Kevin Durant's playoff return is still stuck in wait-and-see mode, and that is the last thing Houston wanted with its season on the line.
The Rockets are one loss away from being knocked out by the Lakers, and Durant's availability for Game 4 remains uncertain. He is dealing with a sprained left ankle, the same injury that kept him out of Game 3, where Houston let a late lead slip away and ended up losing in overtime. That loss pushed the Rockets into a 3-0 hole, making Sunday's game a must-win.
Ime Udoka sounded cautiously hopeful, but not exactly confident. The Rockets are treating Durant aggressively, and the swelling has improved, but that does not automatically mean he is ready for playoff speed. The team still needs to see how the ankle responds when he tries to ramp things up before the game.
That is the tricky part. Durant may look decent in a controlled workout, but chasing Lakers players, cutting, defending, and carrying an offense in an elimination game is completely different.
The injury situation has made Durant's first postseason run with Houston a frustrating one. He already missed the series opener with a knee problem, returned in Game 2, then picked up the ankle issue late in that same game. Now, with the Rockets close to a sweep, everything depends on whether Durant's body gives him a chance to play.
Related: Ime Udoka Shares a Crucial Update on Kevin Durant's Recovery
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This story was originally published April 26, 2026 at 11:26 AM.