The Houston Rockets prepare for a critical Game 6 against the Los Angeles Lakers without star player Kevin Durant, who will miss the game due to an ankle injury, as reported by ESPN. The Rockets have managed to secure two consecutive victories in Durant's absence, but they will need another strong performance to extend the series to a decisive Game 7.

Durant played 41 minutes in the Rockets' Game 2, which ended in a 101-94 loss, and missed Game 1 due to a bruised tendon in his right knee. Unfortunately, he suffered a bone bruise in his left ankle during Game 2, and the typical recovery time for such an injury is at least two weeks. With Game 7 scheduled for Sunday, just 12 days after his injury, a return for Durant in this series seems unlikely.

The Rockets faced a setback in Game 3, where a series of late-game mistakes led to a 99-93 loss, putting them in a 3-0 hole. However, they regained momentum with a recent victory in Los Angeles, offering a glimmer of hope.

Despite their recent success, the Rockets have struggled offensively without Durant. In the 204 minutes played during the series without him, they have averaged only 108.1 points per 100 possessions, ranking them near the bottom in offensive efficiency. In contrast, the Lakers have scored 104.2 per 100 in the same games. If the Rockets aim to continue their winning streak, they will need to find a way to improve their scoring.

Durant, who turns 38 in September, has had a relatively healthy season, playing 78 games and logging 2,840 minutes, his highest totals in several years. This injury comes at a particularly unfortunate moment as the Rockets strive to become the first team in NBA history to overcome a 3-0 deficit in a playoff series.