NBA Playoffs
Rockets rule out Kevin Durant for Game 1 against Lakers
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The Houston Rockets will play without star forward Kevin Durant in Game 1 of their first-round NBA playoffs series against the Los Angeles Lakers. Durant suffered a right knee contusion in practice on Wednesday and was ruled out less than two hours before tipoff on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. Both teams enter the matchup dealing with key injuries.
Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant is set to return for Game 2 against the Los Angeles Lakers after sitting out the series opener due to a knee injury. Coach Ime Udoka confirmed Durant passed warmup tests and has no minutes limit, as the Rockets trail 1-0 following a 107-98 loss in Game 1.
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Austin Reaves has progressed in his recovery and could return during the Lakers' first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets, while Luka Dončić faces a longer absence. The Lakers lead 1-0 after a 107-98 victory in Game 1. Game 2 is scheduled for April 21 in Los Angeles.
The 2026 NBA playoffs first round begins April 18, following the conclusion of the regular season on Sunday. Game times for opening matchups were announced that night, with four series already set. The Play-In Tournament starts today to finalize the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds in each conference.
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The Toronto Raptors clinched the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs with a win over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. This outcome bumped the Atlanta Hawks to the No. 6 seed after their loss to the Miami Heat. All 10 Eastern Conference postseason seeds are now finalized ahead of the Play-In Tournament.