Is Rockets’ Kevin Durant playing in regular-season finale vs. Grizzlies?

The Memphis Grizzlies are out of playoff reckoning and enter their final regular-season game against the Houston Rockets with as many as 17 players listed on the injury report as confirmed absences. At the same time, the Rockets also have reason to rest their best players as they have already locked into the No. 5 seed.

They are only one game behind the Los Angeles Lakers but have conceded the season series 2-1, which means they cannot rise up as well. That has led to a flurry of players joining Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams on the official injury report. Among them is Kevin Durant, who is going to be rested for this one alongside the likes of Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson.

The Rockets have won eight of their last nine games but come into this one off a 136-132 loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Conversely, the Grizzlies have lost seven on the trot and 12 of their last 13 games and have no reason to push themselves.

Kevin Durant’s injury status vs. Grizzlies

Kevin Durant is a confirmed absence for the Rockets as they attempt to round off the regular season on a high. Durant has been on a tear in recent weeks and scored 33 points alongside seven rebounds and seven assists in the loss against Minnesota.

KD is one of the biggest reasons why the Rockets are seen as potential contenders. He recently crossed the 2,000-point mark for the season, becoming the oldest player in league history to reach that milestone, and enters the postseason after playing 78 regular-season games, his highest mark since his Golden State Warriors days.

Of course, his absence is part of a broader shutdown, with Houston listing all of Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson out for this one. Memphis (25–56) is already eliminated from playoff contention and is effectively positioning for draft lottery odds. The Grizzlies have dropped 20 of their last 22 games, in part due to the extent of players they have had missing.

Rockets injury report

Steven Adams — Out (Left ankle surgery)

Kevin Durant — Out (Rest)

Alperen Sengun — Out (Rest)

Jabari Smith Jr. — Out (Rest)

Amen Thompson — Out (Rest)

Fred VanVleet — Out (Right knee ACL repair)

Grizzlies injury report

Santi Aldama — Out (Right knee surgery recovery)

Adama Bal — Questionable (Right ankle sprain)

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope — Out (Right fifth finger surgery recovery)

Brandon Clarke — Out (Right calf strain)

Walter Clayton Jr. — Questionable (Left hip impingement)

Cedric Coward — Out (Low back soreness)

Zach Edey — Out (Left ankle and elbow surgery recovery)

Taylor Hendricks — Out (Right thumb sprain)

GG Jackson — Out (Left knee injury management)

Ty Jerome — Out (Left ankle sprain)

Jahmai Mashack — Available (Nasal fracture, face mask)

Ja Morant — Out (Left elbow UCL sprain)

Scotty Pippen Jr. — Out (Right great toe surgery recovery)

Olivier-Maxence Prosper — Questionable (Right ankle sprain)

Javon Small — Probable (Left thigh contusion)

Cam Spencer — Out (Low back injury management)

Jaylen Wells — Out (Right great toe surgery recovery)

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