Houston F Kevin Durant began the day as questionable for Game 4 of the Lakers vs. Rockets playoff game at 9:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 26.
Durant appeared on the injury report with a new ankle injury ahead of Game 3, missing his second game of the series. He’s expected to miss action tonight, sitting out for his third game of the series, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Below, we'll break down the latest Kevin Durant injury update and who to target on PrizePicks with KD likely missing his second consecutive game from the ankle injury.
Make your NBA Playoff picks on PrizePicks — including ones on Lakers vs. Rockets and other Sunday games.
{{nba_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}
Kevin Durant Injury Update: Is KD Playing Tonight vs. Lakers?
The NBA injury report has KD listed as questionable due to a left ankle sprain. It’s been one thing after the next for Durant, who suffered a knee injury in practice before the series began.
After returning from the knee setback in Game 2, the ankle injury popped up on the injury report ahead of Game 3. Will he miss his third game of the first-round series on Sunday?
On Sunday afternoon, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported KD is expected to be held out due to a bone bruise in his sprained ankle.
What Players to Target on PrizePicks with KD Out?
According to NBA Advanced Stats, Houston’s 104.9 offensive rating ranks 13th in the playoffs. It’s averaging a measly 100.0 PPG (tied for last) and carries a 39.6% field goal percentage in the postseason (last).
The Rockets have desperately missed Durant’s 26.0 PPG and 52.0% field goal percentage from the regular season. When he’s off the court, Rockets G Reed Sheppard (+4.6%) and F Jabari Smith (2.4%) see the largest increases in usage rate, per FantasyLabs.
Sheppard has totaled 30.7 minutes and 15.0 shots per game in the playoffs, elevated from 26.2 minutes and 11.5 field goal attempts per game in the regular season. However, the second-year guard has alarming efficiency by shooting 26.7% from the field and 30.0% on 3-pointers in this series.
Rockets C Alperen Sengun has racked up 24.0 PPG, 11.7 RPG, and 5.7 APG in the playoffs. That’s a major jump from 20.4 PPG, 8.9 RPG, and 6.2 APG from the regular season.
Here are the Rockets players who may benefit most on PrizePicks with Durant out — and their stat projections for Sunday.
- C Alperen Sengun — 22.5 Points / 38.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts / 9.5 Rebounds
- G Reed Sheppard — 17.5 Points / 26.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts / 4.5 Assists
- F Jabari Smith — 17.5 Points / 19 Pts+Asts
In Game 3 with Durant missing action, Smith logged 24 points while making 6-of-10 3-point shots. He’s shooting a lethal 46.2% from deep in this series.
Pick More or Less Lakers vs. Rockets player stats on PrizePicks now before 9:30 p.m. ET tip.
{{nba_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}
Make Lakers vs. Rockets Picks on PrizePicks
The Rockets are on the ropes tonight, as Durant is expected to miss his third game of the series. Will Sengun & Co. do enough to avoid the series sweep vs. the Lakers?
Don't wait until lock — make your Lakers vs. Rockets picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you're right.
Pick players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 35 states.
Stick around with the Playbook for continued NBA predictions, picks, and news every day until the 2026 NBA Finals.
