Houston’s Kevin Durant Abruptly Steps Away: What’s Behind the Sudden Family Matter?

The Houston Rockets are facing a brief but significant hurdle as Kevin Durant steps away from the court for the upcoming two games. Due to an unforeseen family matter, Durant won’t suit up for Monday’s showdown with the Phoenix Suns nor Wednesday’s clash against the Golden State Warriors, as revealed by ESPN’s Shams Charania. Details remain scarce, but it’s a reminder that even the biggest stars have lives off the hardwood that command attention. The Rockets are hopeful Durant will return refreshed for the latter half of their four-game road trip, starting with the back-to-back battles against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City. This pause comes amid Durant’s first campaign with Houston, a season marked by impressive numbers despite last Friday’s narrow loss to the Denver Nuggets that ended their five-game winning streak. With the squad currently holding a strong 10-4 record, Durant’s presence alongside Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson is crucial as they chase back-to-back playoff berths for the first time in years — a feat not accomplished since Mike D’Antoni’s tenure ended in 2020. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the Rockets need every weapon they’ve got when Durant gets back on the floor. LEARN MORE

The Houston Rockets will be without Kevin Durant for their next two games.

Durant will miss Monday’s contest against the Phoenix Suns and Wednesday’s game against the Golden State Warriors due to a family matter, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Specifics of the family matter are not yet known.

Presumably, Durant will rejoin the Rockets for the second half of their four-game road trip on Sunday. That marks the first of back-to-back contests against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City.

[Get more Rockets news: Houston team feed]

Durant is in the midst of his first season with the Rockets this fall. He joined the franchise after a pair of rough campaigns with the Phoenix Suns after what was the largest trade in NBA history. He then signed a two-year, $90 million extension with the Rockets.

Durant has averaged 24.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game this season, his 18th in the league. He had 13 points and eight rebounds in Friday night’s 112-109 loss to the Denver Nuggets. Nikola Jokić dropped 34 points with 10 rebounds and nine assists to lead the Nuggets to that narrow three-point win in the NBA Cup. It snapped a five-game win streak for Houston.

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The Rockets enter their road trip this week with a 10-4 record. Durant, along with Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, will try to lead the franchise to a second straight playoff appearance this season — which is something the Rockets haven’t seen since the Mike D’Antoni head coaching era. D’Antoni’s final season with the team in 2020 was the last time they won a playoff series.