Kevin Durant out for Game 1 of Rockets-Lakers with bruised knee

“Hopefully it’s a one-game thing,” Udoka said.

Durant was questionable entering the game with a right knee contusion. He suffered the injury after bumping knees in Wednesday’s practice. There isn’t a lot of swelling, Udoka said, but Durant was hit in a tender spot and is dealing with soreness. He tested it out before the game but didn’t feel good enough, according to Udoka. 

Durant had a healthy but arduous regular season, playing 78 games and finishing second among all players in minutes played.

Houson will start Reed Sheppard, Josh Okogie, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson and Alperen Şengün against the Lakers. Udoka emphasized the importance of pace and off-ball actions with Durant out.