‘Very tough’: Rockets, Kevin Durant lament ill-timed playoff injuries

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One thing that should never be in question is Kevin Durant’s will, grit, and determination to play basketball.

For the veteran Houston Rockets forward, who led his team in scoring this season, it is his life. It is his profession.

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Now 37 years old and still a perennial NBA All-Star, he does anything and everything to be on the court at all times. And when he is away from the hardwood, there is a safe bet for what he’s doing.

That’s watching and studying the game.

In his 19th NBA season, Durant was an iron man during the regular season, playing 2,840 minutes (36.4 per game) in 78 games while missing only one due to injury.

The only Rockets player to play more than Durant was Amen Thompson, who is 14 years younger.

Yet, in the 2026 Western Conference playoffs, fate has intervened.

After suffering a knee contusion to his right leg and an ankle sprain to his left leg, forcing absences in two of Houston’s initial three playoff games versus the Los Angeles Lakers, Durant underwent extensive treatment this weekend at team facilities to try and return and help his teammates in Sunday’s Game 4.

With that in mind, it was puzzling to see some fans and even media members question Durant’s motivations.

Remember, this is the same Durant who returned from a calf injury in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors, when he was a member of the Golden State Warriors. He played limited minutes in the first half before tearing his Achilles tendon (on the same leg) and missing all of the next season to rehab.

At the time, the Warriors were on the brink of playoff elimination — just as the Rockets are now — and Durant’s contractual status for the next season was unclear. Yet, he played nonetheless.

Durant said on numerous occasions that he knew the risk he was taking but played to help his team. Yet, some fans were skeptical when he was not on the bench during an overtime loss to the Lakers in Game 3.

On Sunday, Durant was ruled out for Game 4 after it was revealed that he suffered a bone bruise to his ankle, which could reportedly take weeks to heal.

“The bone bruise was the worst part about it,” Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said during his press conference before Game 4. “They did all the treatment and rehab and pushed out all of the swelling out, but the pain from the bone bruise is the main thing, and limited mobility.”

Udoka, who is in his third season with the Rockets, elaborated on Durant’s toughness and determination to return to the court. In the end, the team’s medical staff had to do what was best for the player and the organization.

“Talking to him about it, it is tough when you have played the amount of games he has this year,” Udoka said. “It is unfortunate for us that he is missing this time of year (playoffs). It’s tough for a guy that wants to play and plays as much as he does. To be out at this point of the season is very tough.”

The Rockets are facing potential elimination, down 3-0 to the Lakers, and are hoping not to get swept in front of their home crowd on Sunday night. With a win, Houston would force a Game 5 back in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

More: Kevin Durant remains sidelined as Rockets face potential playoff elimination

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: ‘Very tough’: Rockets, Kevin Durant lament ill-timed playoff injuries

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