The Rockets unexpectedly trail their first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers, two games to none. A pivotal Game 3 is Friday night in Houston.
Late Thursday, about 24 hours before tipoff, a surprising injury report was issued by each team.
Austin Reaves, the second-leading scorer on the Lakers this season, is listed as questionable to play with an oblique injury. A Grade 2 oblique strain is typically a four-to-six week injury, and Reaves suffered the strain three weeks ago. Thus, the expectation had been that he wouldn't return until late in the series, if at all.
Reaves did not play in either of the first two Los Angeles victories, and he had been listed as out in each injury report.
Reaves, who suffered a Grade 2 left oblique strain on April 2, was originally expected to have a 4-6 week recovery timeline. Exactly three weeks from the injury, Reaves is now on pace to return tomorrow night against the Rockets, barring no setbacks in shootaround. https://t.co/ulpt8CraOV
Meanwhile, All-Star forward Kevin Durant is questionable for the Rockets with a left ankle sprain, which he seemingly suffered late in Game 2. Durant was questionable for each of the previous two games with a right knee contusion, which caused him to sit out the Game 1 loss.
Durant continued to play through the ankle injury in Game 2, so it would be a surprise if he sits out Game 3, considering the playoff stakes. However, the fact that he’s dealing with recent injuries to both legs certainly won’t help as Houston attempts to dig out of its series hole.
Tipoff at Toyota Center is at 7:00 p.m. Central, and the game will be televised and streamed to a national audience via Prime Video. Final word on the status of Durant and Reaves will come when their respective head coaches, Ime Udoka and JJ Redick, hold their pregame media sessions about an hour-and-a-half prior to tipoff.
No team in NBA history has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven playoff series, so the Rockets will likely attempt to play with a sense of desperation. Time will tell as to whether Durant is part of it.
More: ‘They’re daring us to shoot’: Lakers demoralize Rockets, lead series 2-0
This is likely the play where Kevin Durant tweaked his left ankle -- it happened with 7:18 left in Game 2. He's listed as questionable for Game 3. I would be surprised if he misses the game. pic.twitter.com/MkNlZ9WLMI
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Game 3: Rockets’ Kevin Durant, Lakers’ Austin Reaves both questionable