Final Injury Report for Rockets-Lakers Game 5: Will Austin Reaves, Kevin Durant Play?
The Los Angles Lakers are at home on Wednesday night as they host the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series.
Los Angeles enters Wednesday's game with a 3-1 series lead after losing on the road to Houston on Sunday night in Game 4.
In Sunday's loss to the Rockets, Deandre Ayton led the way for the Lakers as he recorded 19 points and 10 rebounds while LeBron James added 10 points, four rebounds and nine assists of his own.
Now Los Angeles will try to bounce back at home on Wednesday as they try to clinch the series with a victory over the Rockets in Game 5 to advance to the second round of the playoffs.
On the other side, Houston enters Wednesday's contest trailing 1-3 in the series after defeating the Lakers at home in Game 4 on Sunday night.
Amen Thompson led the way for the Rockets in Sunday's victory as he ended the game with 23 points, four rebounds and seven assists while Tari Eason recorded 20 points and eight rebounds.
While both teams are looking to pick up a victory in Game 5 on Wednesday night, both squads may be without multiple key players due to injuries.
Rockets Injury Report: Will Kevin Durant Play?
For the Rockets, they have three players listed on their injury report, including star forward Kevin Durant.
Houston has ruled out Durant due to a left ankle sprain and bone bruise as he will miss his second straight game and third of the series.
Kevin Durant (ankle) listed out for Wednesday.
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) April 29, 2026
With Durant sidelined once again, Reed Sheppard, Eason, Dorian Finney-Smtih and Josh Okogie could all continue to have increased roles.
The Rockets have also ruled out Fred VanVleet as he continues to recover from a torn ACL while Steven Adams will miss the remainder of the season while recovering from ankle surgery.
Lakers Injury Report: Will Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic Play?
On the other side, the Lakers have two players listed on their injury report for Game 5 on Wednesday.
Los Angeles has listed Austin Reaves as questionable due to a left oblique strain and there is a chance he could return from a nine-game absence on Wednesday night.
Lakers list Austin Reaves as questionable for game 5 pic.twitter.com/k1EdJ8beQl
— Trevor Lane (@TrevorLane) April 29, 2026
If Reaves is unable to return for Game 5, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard and Bronny James could all continue to have larger roles.
The Lakers have ruled out Doncic due to a left hamstring strain that has sidelined him to begin the playoffs and he is expected to miss the remainder of the first round.
Fans can catch Game 5 of the first-round series between the Rockets and Lakers from Los Angeles on Wednesday night at 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
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This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 6:00 PM.