Why Kevin Durant isn't playing tonight for Rockets with tough injury news originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

For the second time in three Houston Rockets playoff games against the Los Angeles Lakers, Durant has been ruled out.

When the Lakers try to expand on their 2-0 series lead on Friday night, Durant won't be taking part.

It's a brutal injury break for KD and the Rockets.

Durant is out on Friday night because of an ankle sprain he sustained in Game 2 of the series.

"String of bad luck for Durant -- tendon bruise suffered in practice that sidelined him for Game 1, now an ankle sprain suffered in Game 2 holding him out following swelling and around-clock treatment -- after being healthy all season," wrote ESPN's Shams Charania on X.

KD's absence forces the Rockets to rely more heavily on Reed Sheppard.

"With Durant sidelined, the Rockets are expected to utilize the second-youngest starting lineup in NBA playoff history -- their homegrown core of Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun," Charania wrote on X.

The Rockets will need to pull off a win to give Durant a chance to get back on the floor and impact this series.

Why Luka Doncic isn't playing for Lakers tonight vs. Rockets with injury news

Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic headline Lakers injury report for Game 3 vs. Rockets

Lakers' Deandre Ayton reveals LeBron James, JJ Redick's stern playoff message vs. Rockets

Kevin Durant headlines Rockets injury report for Game 3 vs. Lakers