This time last year, the Houston Rockets were facing the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs. They were on par with Stephen Curry and Co., dragging the series to Game 7. But this time around, their 0-3 record against the Los Angeles Lakers tells a different story. Meanwhile, Kevin Durant’s ankle injury is causing intrigue not only among fans, but also among teammates who are equally clueless.

The Rockets are meeting the Lakers at Toyota Center on Sunday. Before the matchup, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin offered an update on Durant. “Amen Thompson was asked how KD was feeling, and he said, ‘To be honest with you, I don’t know.’ Whether that means KD has been doing all of his rehab away from the team or the team hasn’t been checking in on him, that’s another dynamic to look for as we head towards tip-off.”

Now the insider also informed that inside the practice facility, Kevin Durant was grinding through nonstop rehab on his sore left ankle, and the urgency felt real. During Game 3, while fans wondered about his absence, Ime Udoka revealed he was logging underwater treadmill sessions mid-game. Meanwhile, that intense routine rolled into Sunday. And with Game 4’s late tip, KD now gains extra hours to recover, recalibrate, and chase readiness before the next crucial showdown begins.

Heading into Round 1 against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Houston Rockets looked loaded. Kevin Durant was healthy through most of the week, while the Lakers braced to miss Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. However, just before Game 1, a knee contusion sidelined Kevin Durant, leaving Houston exposed. Therefore, even against a depleted Lakers squad, the Rockets stumbled early and struggled to find rhythm without their leader.

Then came a brief spark. Durant returned in Game 2 despite a bruised right knee, logging 41 minutes and dropping 23 points, yet the Rockets still fell 101-94. Meanwhile, he proved his durability all season, ranking second with 2,840 total minutes, playing 70+ games after the Phoenix trade, and averaging 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. Still, sitting at 0-3 after an overtime collapse in Game 3, Houston remains desperate, and Durant’s status lingers uncertain hours before tip-off.

Houston’s errors are visible, and Kevin Durant’s status complicates the situation further

The Houston Rockets have been plagued by rumours of tension throughout the season. Reports linked Kevin Durant to burner account chatter directed at teammates, and while nothing was definitively proven, the noise persisted. As a result, chemistry questions persisted. On the court, those doubts surfaced. Houston started strong, but then slipped midseason, dropping from a top-three seed to fifth in the West.

Furthermore, late-game execution deteriorated, particularly when Durant faced double teams, and the offence became predictable. The playoffs magnified everything. Durant only played one game in the series and missed two due to injury, adding to the uncertainty.

In Game 2, he scored 23 points but committed nine turnovers under pressure. Since then, his absence has left the offence without structure. Meanwhile, Ime Udoka remained firm, confirming Durant’s return only after he had been fully cleared, protecting him while leaving Houston exposed.

Moreover, roster questions kept circling the Rockets, and that crack is absolutely inevitable. The loss of Fred VanVleet to an Achilles injury before the season ripped out their steady point guard presence. They turned towards Reed Sheppard and depended heavily on Kevin Durant to run the show. However, without a true floor general, the offense often drifted, especially when the pressure dialed up.

That void screamed loudest late in games. Even in Game 3, Houston sat comfortably with a six-point cushion and under 30 seconds left. But it unraveled. Execution slipped, and control vanished. Meanwhile, the Lakers stayed sharp and seized the moment in a crucial OT win of 112-108.

Now, KD’s status for Game 4 remains a mystery, and his teammates remain clueless. Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets’ postseason exit is just one loss away. Therefore, Sunday appears as a do-or-die situation for Ime Udoka and Co.