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Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets looks on in the second half while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on January 23, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan.

The Houston Rockets find themselves in an early hole in their first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers. A 107-98 Game 1 loss on Saturday came without their best player, and the difference was immediately apparent. Luke Kennard scored a game-high 27 points. LeBron James controlled the game from start to finish with 19 points and 13 assists. The Rockets shot just 37.6 percent from the field and could not get anything going offensively without Kevin Durant in the lineup.

The good news for Houston arrived on Sunday. There is reason to believe Durant will be back for Game 2.

What the Latest Reports Say

GettyKevin Durant of the Houston Rockets.

USA Today’s Ben DuBose, of the Rockets Wire, provided an update in the immediate aftermath of Game 1.

“KD, from what I’ve heard, there’s a good chance he could return in Game 2,” DuBose reported. “There’s hope that Kevin Durant can return by Game 2, which is on Tuesday night.”

Rockets coach Ime Udoka has suggested the injury is more of a mobility issue than a pain tolerance concern, and that he expected it to be a one-game absence. Imaging revealed nothing structurally significant, which is an encouraging sign for Houston’s chances of getting their star back on the floor quickly.

Durant bumped knees with a teammate during Wednesday’s practice. The contusion affected the patella tendon area, limiting his movement enough that he could not suit up despite going through an extensive warmup before Game 1 tip-off. His knee was described as “tough to bend in certain ways.”

By Game 2 on Tuesday, Durant will have had six days to recover. Even if he is less than fully mobile, his presence alone changes what the Rockets are capable of offensively.

What Durant’s Absence Meant in Game 1

GettyAmen Thompson of the Houston Rockets guards LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers.

The numbers told the story clearly. Without Durant, the Rockets posted their lowest point total in over a month. The Lakers, already missing Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, had been viewed as a favorable matchup for Houston heading into the series. That calculation flipped the moment Durant was ruled out.

Durant played 78 games during the regular season and ranked among the league leaders in both total minutes and minutes per game. He has been one of the most durable players in the league this season. The knee contusion was an unexpected complication that arrived at the worst possible time.

A hobbled Durant on Tuesday is still a different proposition than no Durant at all. His size, shooting ability, and shot creation give the Rockets a dimension that no one else on the roster can replicate.

Final Word for the Rockets

Houston cannot afford to fall into a 0-2 hole against a Lakers team that is already proving more dangerous than expected without its two primary stars. Getting Durant back for Game 2 is not just important. It is essential.

The series is still very much alive. Tuesday in Los Angeles will go a long way toward determining which direction it swings.