Rockets open series vs. Lakers without star Kevin Durant (knee)

Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant was ruled out for the playoff series opener against the host Los Angeles Lakers because of a right knee injury, coach Ime Udoka said before the game on Saturday.

"He bumped a knee in practice on Wednesday," Udoka said. "Hopefully, it's a one-game thing, but he tried it out just (a) short (time) ago and didn't feel good enough."

At age 37 and in his 19th season, Durant averaged a team-high 26.0 points as well as 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists. Perhaps...