Despite being faced with another elimination contest, SF Kevin Durant is out for Friday night’s Lakers vs. Rockets Game 6 clash at 9:30 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
Durant has been battling a pair of injuries during this first-round series, leaving Houston without its best player more often than not this postseason.
Below, we'll break down the latest Kevin Durant injury update and how it impacts Los Angeles vs. Houston, including which Rockets player projections to target.
Make your NBA Playoff picks on PrizePicks — including ones on this Game 6 bout between the Lakers and Rockets.
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Kevin Durant Injury Update: Is Durant Playing Tonight vs. Lakers?
Durant was originally ruled out for Friday night’s contest, then got upgraded to doubtful on Thursday evening.
Despite what some deemed as a sliver of hope, all of it was extinguished when the future Hall of Fame man got downgraded back to out on Friday. The official NBA injury report reflects that, tying the designation to his left ankle sprain.
Unfortunately for Durant, this marks the continuation of a frustrating pattern in the postseason. A bone bruise in his knee left him questionable for Game 1 of this series, only for him to be downgraded to out. Upon returning for Game 2, he played nearly 41 minutes but suffered the aforementioned sprained ankle in a loss. It’s held him out ever since.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that Durant’s injury “generally carries a minimum two-week timetable for returning to play.” If the Lakers vs. Rockets set extends another game, a Game 7 would be 12 days removed from his ankle sprain.
Durant was remarkably durable for most of his age-37 campaign, appearing in 78 of 82 possible regular-season games and giving Houston 26.0 points on average.
While Durant isn’t playing on Friday, the Rockets have other formidable options in the lineup. You can make picks on PrizePicks projections for a multitude of other player stats on Houston’s side.
What Players to Target on PrizePicks With Durant Out
It’s glaringly obvious that Durant is one of the purest scorers in the history of the sport. Even in his 18th season, he remains as efficient as they come, converting on 52.0% of all shots and 41.3% of those from 3-point land.
With that said, the Rockets have mostly been able to manage without him. During the regular season, the club only dropped off 1.6 points per 100 possessions with him on the bench. That number is 2.5 in the NBA Playoffs, per databallr, but Houston’s defense is 12.5 points better.
With Durant sitting for yet another postseason game, who could the Rockets turn to at home? The first look might be for C Alperen Sengun, who scores 3.6 more points per 75 possessions when Durant isn’t in the lineup. He also shoots 6.7% better from 3-point range.
The forward duo of Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason must also be factored in. Smith sees a 3.2% usage rate bump in Durant-less minutes, paired with 2.4 more points per 75. Eason, who scored 20 and 18 points in Games 4 and 5, shoots 11.3% better from deep with a 9.2% better true shooting clip.
Here are the Rockets players who may benefit most on PrizePicks with Durant out, as well as their stat projections for today.
- Alperen Sengun vs. Lakers Projections: 22.5 Points / 9.5 Rebounds / 6 Assists
- Jabari Smith Jr. vs. Lakers Projections: 17.5 Points / 7 Rebounds / 2.5 3-PT Made
- Tari Eason vs. Lakers Projections: 13.5 Points / 7 Rebounds / 1.5 3-PT Made
Sengun’s ability is well known, but it’s Smith who’s stepped his game up in the absence of Durant in the first round. He may be worthy of consideration for a Lineup on Friday.
Pick More or Less Rockets player stats on PrizePicks now before the 9:30 p.m. ET tip.
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Make Lakers vs. Rockets Game 6 Picks on PrizePicks
Kevin Durant is out for Friday night’s critical Lakers vs. Rockets Game 6, but don’t worry. PrizePicks still has numerous other player projections available for Los Angeles vs. Houston and all other games in the NBA Playoffs.
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