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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 19: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets shoots the ball during the first half of the basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on February 19, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

On Saturday night, the Houston Rockets will be in California to take on the Los Angeles Lakers for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.

The Rockets are the fifth seed in the Western Conference after going 52-30 during the regular season.

Houston Rockets Announce Current Injury Report

GettyKevin Durant looks on during the Singles match between Frances Tiafoe of the United States and Rinky Hijikata of Australia on Day 4 of the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship at River Oaks Country Club on April 02, 2026 in Houston, Texas.

UPDATE: Kevin Durant has been ruled out (h/t Underdog NBA).

For Saturday’s game, the Rockets have announced their full injury report (updated as of 5 P.M Eastern Time).

The Rockets have ruled out Steven Adams and Fred VanVleet.

Kevin Durant is listed as questionable.

SleeperRockets wrote (on Friday): “Kevin Durant is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game against the Lakers with a right knee contusion, according to the NBA’s latest injury report

Los Angeles has already ruled out Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves”

GettyHead coach Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets speaks with the media during NBA Media Day at Toyota Center on September 29, 2025 in Houston, Texas.

Adams and VanVleet are already out for the season.

That said, Durant on the injury report is extremely notable.

He finished the regular season with averages of 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per contest while shooting 52.0% from the field and 41.3% from three-point range in 78 games.

Real App wrote (on February 26): “Kevin Durant becomes the oldest player in Rockets history to record a 40-point game.”

GettyKevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets defends Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter of the game at Toyota Center on March 16, 2026 in Houston, Texas.

Rockets This Season

The Rockets are already coming off a year where they broke a playoff drought, and were the second seed with a 52-30 record.

That said, they lost to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 2025 playoffs (in seven games).

The franchise traded for Durant over the offseason to help propel them into contender status.

ESPN’s Shams Charania wrote (on June 22): “The Phoenix Suns are trading two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft and five second-round picks, sources tell ESPN.”

GettyKevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets speaks with the media during NBA Media Day at Toyota Center on September 29, 2025 in Houston, Texas.

On the road, the Rockets have gone 22-19 in 41 games away from Houston.

After Saturday, the two teams will face off in Los Angeles (again) on Tuesday (before heading to Houston for Games 3 and 4).

Durant is coming off a season where he missed the playoffs with the Suns.

The future Hall of Famer last won a title in 2018 (with the Warriors).