The Houston Rockets will once again be down their leading scorer in their first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Forward Kevin Durant was ruled out of Friday's Game 3 with a left ankle sprain, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
The 37-year-old missed Game 1 with a right knee contusion, but was able to suit up in Game 2. He put up 23 points, six rebounds and four assists in 40 minutes of action.
He suffered the ankle injury during the Game 2 loss.
Durant led the Rockets in scoring throughout the regular season, averaging 26.0 points per game.
The Rockets find themselves in a 2-0 hole to the Lakers after failing to generate much offence on the road. They will hope the series shifting to Houston sparks a comeback.
Meanwhile, the Lakers will remain without Austin Reaves for Game 3. Reaves was upgraded to questionable on Thursday, but was ruled out shortly before the game.
Reaves has missed just over three weeks with a Grade 2 left oblique strain. He suffered the injury the same night Luka Doncic went down with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. Doncic remains out on Friday.
Reaves began his return-to-play program on Tuesday, Lakers coach JJ Redick said. He averaged a career-best 23.3 points during the regular season.
