Miraculous comeback by Houston? Latest update on Kevin Durant's condition

The situation of Houston Rockets has become extremely complicated after the collapse in the final minutes of the third game, a defeat that leaves them 3-0 down against Los Angeles Lakers in this first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. With no room for error and on the brink of elimination, the Texan team now faces another major uncertainty: the availability of Kevin Durant for the fourth encounter.

Coach Ime Udoka didn't clear up doubts after the home loss and went straight to the point when asked about his star: "Uncertain." A word that sums up the delicate moment Houston is going through, both in terms of competitiveness and physically.

Durant has not been able to maintain continuity in the series. The forward is dealing with a sprained left ankle that occurred during a defensive play when he was attempting to block a shot by Luke Kennard. This injury adds to the knee bruise that had already sidelined him for the first game, sustained during a pre-series training session.

The result is clear: two absences in three games and now a big question mark heading into the fourth duel, just when his team needs an immediate response to stay alive.

An attack with no answers

Beyond Durant's individual impact, his absence has exposed Houston's offensive problems. The team has failed to find fluidity at any point in the series, even in the only game where the forward was on the court.

The numbers reflect this difficulty: the Rockets are averaging around 100 points per game, a low figure in today's NBA context and clearly insufficient in a series of this level. Added to this is a poor 39.6% shooting from the field, showing a lack of overall efficiency.

The issue worsens even more from the perimeter. The team is barely hitting 28.7% on three-pointers, a statistic that hampers any comeback attempt and makes defensive work easier for their opponent.

Against the ropes

With the series on the verge of a sweep and unsure about the status of their main star, Houston enters the fourth game in a critical situation. The possible absence of Durant not only affects offensive talent but also the overall team balance.

Everything now hinges on his physical progress as the Rockets seek urgent answers to avoid an early exit in the series.