News Summary

• Kevin Durant was ruled out for the Lakers–Rockets playoff series opener due to a right knee issue.
• Houston’s side went into Game 1 without him, and the absence was treated as a major factor in the opening matchup.
• Because he did not play, the Rockets had to replace his production with other scoring options and more ball-handling from the remaining rotation.
• The Rockets will be evaluated on whether they can perform offensively at a comparable level once the series shifts from opening-game volatility to consistent adjustments.