The Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets have announced their preliminary injury reports for Game 4 of the playoff series, scheduled for Sunday, Apr. 25 at 6:30 p.m. PT in Houston. Austin Reaves, who has a Grade 2 left oblique strain, and Kevin Durant, with a left ankle sprain, are both listed as questionable to play.
Reaves has not played in this series and has been sidelined since April 2 due to his injury. His initial recovery timeline was estimated at four to six weeks; however, he appears to be recovering faster than expected and could return sooner if cleared for Game 4. Reaves participated in pre-game warmups before Game 3 but ultimately did not play.
Durant’s postseason has also been affected by injuries. He reportedly bumped knees with a Rockets player during practice before the start of the series, causing him to miss Game 1. After returning for Game 2, he suffered an ankle sprain that kept him out of Game 3.
The Lakers will continue without Luka Doncic due to a Grade 2 left hamstring strain sustained on April 2—the same day as Reaves’ injury—with his recovery progressing according to the original timeline. The Rockets remain without Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams because of knee injuries sustained earlier in the season.
The Lakers currently lead the series three games to none and are one win away from advancing to the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Despite being considered underdogs at the start of this matchup, they have relied on strong performances from role players such as Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, and Rui Hachimura alongside LeBron James.
Game 4 is set for Sunday evening on NBC and Peacock.
After Saturday’s close win (112-108), head coach JJ Redick praised Marcus Smart and LeBron James for their critical plays late in regulation: “They both made big-time plays,” Redick said after Saturday’s victory. “Before the game, at halftime, we’ve talked for the last 10-plus days just about elevating everything and this was our first road playoff game and you have to elevate your poise, you have to elevate your composure… You get down, they make a run… we weathered a lot tonight.”
Redick continued: “There were a lot of turnovers but I thought our defense was fantastic… Smart made a huge play… then coming out of that timeout… Rui and Bron did a good job putting pressure on Sheppard… we made the steal and ‘Bron hits a big-time shot.”
