Rockets Seek First Win as Durant Questionable, Doncic Out in Game 4

The Houston Rockets face a 0‑3 deficit against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4, with Kevin Durant questionable and Luka Doncic ruled out, while ESPN gives Houston a 65.6% chance to avoid a sweep.

The Lakers lead the best‑of‑seven series 3‑0 after victories of 107‑98, 101‑94 and 112‑108. Houston has not recorded a playoff win this season.

Game 4 tips off at 7:30 p.m. MDT/8:30 p.m. CDT on Sunday, April 26 and will be broadcast nationally on NBC. Los Angeles finished the regular season 53‑29; Houston ended at 52‑30.

Kevin Durant missed Game 3 with an ankle injury and is listed as questionable for Game 4; the Rockets have not confirmed his availability for the contest.

Luka Doncic is sidelined indefinitely with a Grade 2 hamstring strain and is unlikely to play in the remainder of the series.

ESPN’s predictive model assigns the Rockets a 65.6% probability of winning Game 4, which translates to a 34.4% chance for the Lakers.

If Houston secures a win, it would avoid a sweep and shift the series back to Los Angeles for a potential Game 5; a loss would end the Rockets’ postseason run.

A Rockets loss would cement Los Angeles’ path to the next round, while a win would force a decisive Game 5 in Los Angeles.

The absence of Durant and Doncic removes two of the league’s top scorers, placing greater emphasis on role players and bench depth for both squads.

Houston will need contributions from its supporting cast to compensate for Durant’s possible absence, whereas Los Angeles will rely on its depth to offset Doncic’s missing scoring.

Watch for how Houston’s bench responds if Durant sits and whether Los Angeles can maintain its defensive edge without Doncic.