Kevin Durant’s Absence Explained by Ime Udoka

Ime Udoka shared some insights on why Kevin Durant wasn’t on the Rockets’ sideline during the recent game against the Lakers. Durant missed Game 1 of this playoff series due to a right knee contusion and wasn’t available for the Rockets’ close 112-108 overtime defeat on Friday, having sprained his left ankle.

In the post-game press conference, Udoka mentioned that Durant was actually undergoing treatment for his ankle while the game was happening. It’s kind of rough for the team, as they could really use his presence on the court.

On Saturday, Udoka noted that Durant, who had scored 23 points in Game 2 earlier this week, was utilizing an underwater treadmill as Game 3 proceeded. It appears they’re trying to keep him in shape, though it’s unclear if he’ll be ready anytime soon.

During the game, the Rockets missed out on potentially capitalizing on Durant’s calmness. They faced crucial turnovers, particularly by Ja’Sean Tate and Reed Shepard, with just 34.4 seconds left, leading to critical three-pointers from both Marcus Smart and LeBron James. Subsequently, the Lakers outpaced the Rockets 11-7 in overtime, pushing their series lead to 3-0.

As for Durant’s status, he remains uncertain for the upcoming Game 4 which is practically a must-win situation for the Rockets. Udoka commented that Durant is still in pain, undergoing 24-hour treatment. Hopefully, that ankle will hold up for the team’s crucial encounter.

This postseason seems particularly challenging for Durant, who otherwise had a robust regular season, playing in 78 games—the most since his stint with Golden State. It’s a bit of a bummer, really, especially considering the injury came at such a crucial time.

Earlier in the week, Udoka had remarked that Durant’s latest injury happened when he attempted to chase down Lakers guard Luke Kennard late in Game 2. Those moments can really be turning points for a team.

In that Game 2, Durant had a solid performance, finishing with 23 points on 7-of-12 shooting, along with six rebounds and four assists, although he also had nine turnovers. It’ll be interesting to see how this unfolds as the Rockets prepare for Game 4 against the Lakers; they really need to get their act together to salvage their season.