It appears the 2025-26 season is going to end in brutal fashion for Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets.
Despite being heavily favored heading into their first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Rockets are on the verge of being swept by LeBron James and a shorthanded crew.
The Rockets figured their Game 1 loss was mainly due to Durant’s absence. The former MVP was held out due to a bruised right knee. However, he returned for Game 2 and scored 23 points in a 101-94 loss.
Just hours before tipoff for Game 3, the Rockets ruled out Durant. The team said he was dealing with swelling in his left ankle. Oddly enough though, he wasn’t on Houston’s bench during Friday night’s overtime loss.
The Explanation: Treatment, Not Abandonment
Rockets coach Ime Udoka addressed the controversy on Saturday, explaining that Durant was receiving treatment for his ankle during the game .
“He was getting treatment regardless before (the game) and working on some things,” Udoka said. “He was getting in the pool and trying to get some running in and do all those things to prepare (himself). He was back there getting treatment, getting the ice and doing things you can’t do on the bench” .
Udoka added that Durant has been receiving treatment “around the clock” and that his status for Game 4 remains unclear .
“He’s doing everything he can to get back,” Udoka said .
The Backlash: Accusations of Quitting
While there’s no question Durant is hurt at the moment, fans and commentators are wondering if he quit on the Rockets.
“I still don’t understand why KD wasn’t with his team for Game 3,” Bill Simmons of The Ringer said. “He’s won 2 playoff series since 2019 and his team was down 0-2 in a must-win game… he’s just MIA? What’s the actual story here?”
“Kevin Durant whole point was to get us close enough to a championship and yet he quit on another team again,” a Rockets fan wrote on X .
“Durant is gonna want out of Houston but if I’m literally any other team there’s no way I want him on my team the way he literally quit on his teammates,” a second fan said .
“KD is a quitter, team chemistry killer just an overall loser,” another fan added. “If he hadn’t pulled the weakest move in sports history he would’ve never won a ring” .
The Contrast: Lakers’ Injured Stars on the Bench
The optics were not helped by the contrast with the Lakers’ injured players. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, both sidelined with Grade 2 strains, were on the bench supporting their teammates throughout the game .
Durant, meanwhile, was nowhere to be seen.
The Depth Problem: A Team Running on Fumes
Durant’s absence exposed a glaring weakness in the Rockets’ roster: depth. With Durant out, Tari Eason was forced into the starting lineup, leaving Houston’s bench completely lifeless.
The Rockets’ second unit contributed just three points on 1-for-10 shooting from the field with three turnovers . The Lakers’ bench, by contrast, scored 24 points .
The lack of production forced Ime Udoka to play his starters an average of 46.2 minutes. Houston’s top contributors were visibly exhausted at the end of regulation .
Will Durant Return for Game 4?
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was asked if fans should expect Durant back in the lineup for Sunday’s elimination game. As of now, the future Hall of Famer’s status is up in the air.
“Every day that goes by, the likelihood goes up,” Udoka said. “But I thought he might be OK (Friday) based on shootaround and that’s different going half speed and then ramping it up right before a game. And so you really can’t tell, but he’s doing everything he can to get back” .
Game 4 of the Lakers-Rockets series is set for 9:30 p.m. ET .
The Verdict: A Season Slipping Away
The Rockets are one loss away from elimination. They have been without Durant for two of the three games. They have been without Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams for the entire series.
They have fought hard. They have competed. But they have not been able to overcome the injuries.
Now, they face a must-win Game 4 at home. If they lose, the season is over. If they win, they stave off elimination and force a Game 5 back in Los Angeles.
Durant’s status is the biggest variable. If he plays, the Rockets have a chance. If he sits, the Lakers will likely close out the series.
Udoka said Durant’s status is “up in the air.” The basketball world will be watching.
The Rockets are fighting for their season. And the questions about Durant’s commitment are only getting louder.