Where is Kevin Durant? Why Rockets star isn't playing vs. Lakers in Game 1 of playoff series

The Lakers entered the playoffs with major injury concerns, as both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are out indefinitely, but the Rockets are being bitten by the injury bug as well.

Houston is without star Kevin Durant for Game 1 of its playoff series against the Lakers, leaving the team without its veteran centerpiece on the road.

Durant certainly isn't young by NBA standards, but he managed to stay on the court for the Rockets this season, playing 78 games for the first time in seven years.

Here's what you need to know about Durant's absence for the Rockets in Game 1.

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What happened to Kevin Durant?

Durant suffered a knee contusion in practice after the end of the regular season and was officially listed as questionable by the Rockets on Friday.

Despite ESPN reporting the Rockets were "optimistic" Durant's injury wouldn't significantly impact their series against the Lakers, his absence in Game 1 qualifies as significant. Durant averaged 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game this season, putting together his healthiest regular season in seven years.

With Durant out, younger standouts Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith and Amen Thompson will be under pressure to step up against a Lakers team missing Doncic and Reaves but still boasting home-court advantage.

Is Kevin Durant injured?

Durant is dealing with a knee contusion, which he reportedly suffered in practice in the week leading up to the playoffs. ESPN's Shams Charania said Saturday that Durant bumped knees with a teammate in practice but said at the time that the Rockets were optimistic about his chances of playing in Game 1.

The Rockets haven't said whether Durant has been evaluated for structural damage in his knee. Despite Durant being listed as questionable for Game 1, it came as a surprise when Houston ruled him out on Saturday.

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When will Kevin Durant be back?

The Rockets haven't released any more details about Durant's timeline. Friday marked the first time his Game 1 status was known to be in jeopardy, and there isn't any indication he's dealing with a serious injury. Head coach Ime Udoka said it's "hopefully" a one-game absence for Durant, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin, and that "limited movement" played a role in the decision to keep the forward out on Saturday.

With details about Durant's injury limited, however, it's hard to guarantee when he will return for a Rockets team that runs its offense through him.