NBA: Rockets superstar Kevin Durant ruled out for Game 5 against Lakers

The Houston Rockets will once again attempt to stave off elimination without their biggest star, after confirming late Tuesday that Kevin Durant will miss Game 5 of their first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Durant’s absence marks his fourth missed game in the series, having been sidelined by multiple injuries. The 16-time All-Star initially sat out Game 1 due to a right knee contusion and later missed Games 3 and 4 with a left ankle sprain and bone bruise. The team said his condition did not improve sufficiently on Tuesday to clear him for Wednesday’s crucial matchup.

His only appearance in the series came in Game 2, where he scored 23 points but struggled with ball control, committing nine turnovers in a loss.

The Lakers have taken advantage of Durant’s absence, building a 3-1 series lead. However, Los Angeles has also dealt with key injuries and has yet to field its top two scorers together, with Luka Doncic sidelined by a hamstring issue and Austin Reaves nursing an oblique injury. Reaves could return for Game 5.

Facing a 3-0 deficit entering Sunday’s contest, Houston kept its season alive with a convincing 115-96 victory to force another game.

Durant, 37, is in his 18th NBA season and his first with the Rockets. The former league MVP (2013-14) is a four-time scoring champion, an 11-time All-NBA selection, and a two-time NBA champion. -Field Level Media/Reuters