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Durant Out: Rockets Face Lakers Without Star
29 Apr
Summary
- Durant sidelined with a bone bruise in his left ankle.
- Houston trails the Lakers 3-1 in the playoff series.
- Thompson has been a bright spot, averaging 20.5 points.
Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant has been ruled out for Game 5 of their first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers. The absence is due to a bone bruise in his left ankle, an injury that has sidelined him for critical games.
Durant previously missed Game 1 with a knee injury and returned for Game 2, but the ankle issue has proven more serious. The Rockets are currently trailing the Lakers 3-1 in the series. They avoided a sweep by winning Game 4, but are now set as underdogs for Game 5.
Without Durant, the Rockets' offense, which already lacks shot creation, has struggled, particularly in the fourth quarter. Klay Thompson has been a standout performer for Houston, averaging 20.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game in the series. His strong play might lead to extended minutes as the Rockets aim to defy the odds and extend their season.
