The Houston Rockets are keeping their playoff hopes alive, but they'll have to do it without their biggest star once again. Kevin Durant is expected to sit out Friday's Game 6 against the Los Angeles Lakers, marking the fifth game he'll miss in this first-round series due to a left ankle injury.

Durant, who injured his ankle late in Game 2—the only game he's played in the series—is dealing with both a sprain and a bone bruise. According to sources, the recovery typically requires a minimum two-week window, and Friday's matchup falls short of that mark. However, there's a glimmer of hope: if the Rockets force a Game 7 on Sunday, that date would be closer to the two-week checkpoint, potentially opening a window for Durant to return.

The Rockets have shown resilience without their leading scorer, winning two straight games to climb back from a 3-0 deficit to 3-2. Now, with home-court advantage in Houston for Game 6, they're looking to even the series and send it to a decisive Game 7.

In Durant's absence, the Rockets have leaned heavily on their young core, fielding one of the youngest starting lineups in NBA playoff history. The five-man unit of Amen Thompson (23), Reed Sheppard (21), Tari Eason (24), Jabari Smith Jr. (22), and Alperen Sengun (23) has brought energy and fearlessness to the court. Smith Jr. was particularly impressive in Game 5, delivering a clutch performance to keep Houston alive.

It's a remarkable story of youth stepping up under pressure. For context, Durant missed only one game during the entire 2025-26 regular season, making this injury especially tough for a team that relies heavily on his scoring and leadership. As the Rockets look to extend their season, all eyes will be on whether their young stars can continue to rise to the occasion—and whether Durant might be ready for a potential Game 7 showdown.