Rockets rule out Kevin Durant (ankle) for Game 5 vs. Lakers

The Houston Rockets officially ruled out star ahead Kevin Durant for Wednesday evening’s must-win Game 5 towards the Los Angeles Lakers due to a left ankle sprain.

Durant didn’t participate in practice with the Rockets on Tuesday earlier than they left for Los Angeles, trailing 3-1 within the Western Conference first-round collection. But he was seen working on an antigravity treadmill because the group wrapped up their work earlier than heading to the airport.

Durant sat out the opener with a bruised proper knee, in addition to Games 3, 4 and 5. He returned for Game 2, scoring 23 factors in 41 minutes of the 101-94 loss, throughout which he injured his ankle late within the recreation.

The Rockets won Game 4 115-96 to keep away from elimination, regardless of lacking their celebrity.

Durant’s harm issues this postseason got here after the 37-year-old ranked second within the league within the common season by enjoying 2,840 minutes.

Durant, who’s in his first season in Houston after an offseason commerce from phoenixis the fifth-leading scorer in NBA historical past.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.