The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in a precarious position as they head into Game 6 of their first-round NBA playoff series against the Houston Rockets. After jumping out to a commanding 3-0 series lead, the Lakers have stumbled, dropping two consecutive games and allowing the Rockets to claw back into contention. Now, with all the momentum swinging Houston's way, the purple and gold must travel to the Toyota Center for a critical Friday night matchup.

In a bright spot for L.A., guard Austin Reaves has been cleared for action after missing time with an oblique strain suffered on April 2. Reaves made his return in Game 5 and is now off the injury report entirely, giving the Lakers a much-needed boost in their backcourt rotation. However, the team will still be without superstar Luka Dončić, who remains sidelined with a Grade 2 hamstring strain.

The Lakers' injury report for Game 6 has been released, and while the team faces its own challenges, there's a silver lining on the opposing side. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Rockets forward Kevin Durant will miss his fourth consecutive game due to a left ankle sprain and bone bruise. Durant has been plagued by injuries throughout the series, also sitting out Game 1 with a knee contusion. The future Hall of Famer suffered the current ankle issue late in Game 2, and reports suggest a typical recovery timeline for such an injury is around two weeks.

Should the Lakers fail to close out the Rockets in Game 6, a decisive Game 7 would be held in Los Angeles on Sunday. Given Durant's extended absence, it's unlikely he'd be available for that contest either, which could play into the Lakers' favor if they can force a winner-take-all showdown. For now, though, L.A. must focus on stopping Houston's momentum and securing the series win on the road.