Rockets ruled out Kevin Durant (ankle) for Game 5 vs. Lakers

D Houston Rockets officially cancelled Star forward Kevin Durant Wednesday night’s match 5 is a must-win vs Los Angeles Lakers Due to sprained left ankle.

Durant Did not participate in practice Tuesday before leaving for Los Angeles with the Rockets, trailing 3-1 in their first-round Western Conference series. But he was spotted running on an antigravity treadmill as the group wrapped up their errands before heading to the airport.

Durant sat out three games in the series after missing the opener with a right knee injury. He returned in Game 2, scoring 23 points in 41 minutes of a 101–94 loss, during which he injured his ankle late.

D The Rockets won Game 4 115-96 to avoid elimination despite their superstar miss.

Durant’s injury woes hit this postseason after the 37-year-old ranked second in the league with 2,840 minutes played during the regular season.

Durant, who is in his first season in Houston after an offseason trade the phoenixFifth-leading scorer in NBA history.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.