“Let me just try to sacrifice the money, the individual accolades, all that. Let me just try to sacrifice and switch it up a little bit, and hopefully that’ll work in my favor in the sense of trying to win a championship,“ Harden admitted.

Navigating his subsequent stints, Harden reflected on how “tricky” things got upon joining the Brooklyn Nets and later adjusting his role with the Philadelphia 76ers—admitting that, ultimately, “None of that worked.”

“I sacrificed money, I sacrificed being the top scorer that I am, that I still am and will be. Long story short: it was for nothing,” Cleveland Cavaliers‘ star confessed, reflecting on his ring-chasing journey during a wild NBA offseason defined by blockbuster player movement across the league, like Klay Thompson going to the Miami Heat.

Harden’s tumultuous exit from Houston

James Harden’s departure from Houston in early 2021 followed a chaotic offseason in which he rejected a historic two-year, $103 million extension and demanded a trade. He delayed reporting to training camp, missing mandatory practices while attending events in Atlanta and Las Vegas in violation of the league’s health and safety protocols.

Once he finally rejoined the team, Harden’s on-court effort dropped off noticeably, leading to an uninspired 3-6 start for the Rockets. Over his final five games in Houston, his production cratered to just 17.4 points per game on under 38% shooting from the field.

The situation reached its breaking point following a blowout loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, where Harden bluntly told reporters that the Rockets were “just not good enough” to fix. Houston traded him to the Brooklyn Nets the very next day in a massive four-team blockbuster deal.

Injuries to veterans Steven Adams and Fred VanVleet proved to be significant losses for the roster. A report from Ramona Shelburne and Tim MacMahon for ESPN explains how KD could be involved in trade talks by the Rockets:

“Interviews with team sources and those with knowledge of the team’s operations reveal that the VanVleet injury, and the season-ending ankle injury to Steven Adams later on, impacted the team in ways that extended off the floor. Beyond the team’s glaring lack of playmaking, their absences created a massive leadership void that Durant and the team struggled to fill.”

Durant emerges as a trade option

This summer has been interesting, to say the least, as Houston has been trying to figure out what to do with Durant. The situation will likely drag on and may not find an immediate resolution, potentially stretching further into the season.

Durant’s name has reportedly been made available in trade discussions, which could begin to create a rift between management and the player. However, everything remains reportage for now as anticipation builds around what Durant’s future in the NBA will hold.

“Whether or not the Rockets look to continue their partnership with Durant is the big question at large, especially since they don’t view him as an ‘untouchable’ talent in trade talks on their roster,” NBA insider Brett Siegel wrote. “Houston viewed the opportunity to acquire Durant as a way to upgrade from Jalen Green and bridge the gaps in their lineup to contend in the West, but by no means was this addition viewed as a long-term commitment.”

A potential mistake by the Rockets?

From a statistical standpoint, letting Durant leave would be a total mistake. The forward remains one of the greatest scorers of all time and continues to deliver highly consistent production.

He averaged 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game for the Rockets in 2025-26, proving he remains one of the premier scorers in the NBA. Furthermore, the public saw how much the Rockets’ offense struggled without Durant against the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs. Therefore, if the front office decides to let him go, it must bring in someone of that same caliber.

According to NBA insider Jake Weinbach, if the Celtics ultimately decide to explore the trade market for Brown, the Houston Rockets are poised to assemble a massive blockbuster package to acquire him for the 2026-27 season.

“If the Celtics are open to trading Jaylen Brown, the Rockets can present an appealing package around Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and first-round draft compensation,“ Weinbach reported via his X account.

With the Rockets established as an aggressive suitor for Brown, the ball remains entirely in Boston’s court. Houston, however, is not expected to be the only franchise aggressively working the phones to strike a deal for the explosive wing if he becomes available.

What to expect from the Celtics?

To understand why Boston holds all the leverage, it is critical to break down Brown’s current status. While both Brown and Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens have publicly downplayed the trade chatter, a potential parting of ways remains a distinct financial possibility due to the league’s strict economic landscape.

Brown is currently playing under a massive five-year supermax extension worth roughly $285 million. With Jayson Tatum also commanding a historic supermax contract of his own, committing to both superstar wings long-term forces the Celtics deep into the NBA’s punishing “second apron” luxury tax territory.

Under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) rules, this designation severely restricts the front office from signing impact depth pieces, utilizing mid-level exceptions, or aggregating salaries in trades, threatening to freeze their ability to build a competent championship roster around their stars.

Other reasons to consider that Brown could leave the Celtics

Beyond the financial constraints, Brown’s recent postseason performance has raised questions after he failed to consistently meet expectations. He struggled to impact winning in the manner the front office and fan base anticipated, though a singular playoff slump is a vulnerability faced by many stars and wouldn’t completely tank his value on its own.

However, a more explosive factor has surfaced via reports from The Athletic, which suggest that the Celtics could be monitoring Giannis Antetokounmpo’s situation for next season. With a luxury tax bill already suffocating their roster flexibility, sacrificed salary would be an absolute necessity, making a Brown departure the clear pathway if ‘The Greek Freak’ somehow targets Boston.

NBA insider Marc Stein revealed Monday that three teams are said to have “legitimate interest” in trading for Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown, one of those being the Houston Rockets.

Brown was just named to the All-NBA Second Team Sunday night after posting 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and one steal in the regular season. With Jayson Tatum sidelined for most of the year, Brown took off, leading Boston to the second seed in the Eastern Conference and finishing sixth in the MVP voting.

The others interested in Brown

According to Marc Stein, the Celtics are not the only ones, as the Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trail Blazers also have real interest in the Finals MVP. Stein references Brown within a story largely centered on the uncertain future of Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is believed to have interest in joining Boston, though whether the Celtics feel the same way is not yet known.

The framework of a possible blockbuster trade between Milwaukee and Boston that sees Antetokounmpo land with the Celtics would likely have to involve at least three teams, according to Stein, with Brown rerouted to a third team, potentially Atlanta, Houston, or Portland, and the Bucks receiving unspecified assets.

Something that could define Brown as a trade player

With a projected salary of more than $183 million over the next three seasons, Brown would become a likely trade target if the Celtics considered his salary, combined with Tatum’s, to be too high.

Brown had a career season this past year, helping the Celtics finish with a 56-26 record, which earned them the second overall seed in the Eastern Conference, despite being without Jayson Tatum for most of the NBA season.

The Rockets face a tough offseason this summer, as they will have to decide whether to make yet another aggressive move for a proven superstar, like Brown, much like they did last summer when parting with some of their draft capital and young talent to the Phoenix Suns for Kevin Durant.

While the Rockets’ recent update left the door open for Durant to return for the crucial matchup, the odds of him seeing action tonight remain slim. His status is expected to be a game-time decision, but given the severity of the sprain, he will remain sidelined tonight.

Due to his recurring ankle issues, the 14-time All-Star has only been available for Game 2, which resulted in a Rockets loss at Crypto.com Arena. While Durant is unlikely to suit up tonight, if Houston manages to tie the series, there is a possibility he could return for a high-stakes, win-or-go-home Game 7 back in Los Angeles.

Rockets fighting back without their star

Despite missing their primary offensive engine for four of five games, the Rockets have shown incredible resilience. After falling into an 0-3 hole—a deficit no team in NBA history has ever overcome—Houston roared back with two consecutive wins to extend the series.

The Rockets have relied on their young core to stay afloat. Amen Thompson led the way in Game 4, while Jabari Smith Jr. stepped up in Game 5. With Durant likely to be sidelined again tonight at the Toyota Center, the pressure falls on these young stars to force a seventh game against a veteran Lakers squad.

Lakers still without Doncic

The Los Angeles Lakers are dealing with their own major injury concerns. Luka Doncic remains out indefinitely after suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Reports indicate that even if the Lakers advance to the second round, the Slovenian star is expected to miss that entire series as well.

However, the Lakers did receive a boost with the return of Austin Reaves. After overcoming an oblique strain, Reaves played 22 minutes in Game 5, contributing 22 points, four rebounds, and six assists. Now fully recovered, he is expected to be in the starting lineup tonight as the Lakers attempt to close the door on Houston’s comeback attempt.

“The Rockets recently upgraded Kevin Durant from OUT to DOUBTFUL for Game 6 against the Lakers,” as reported by NBA insider Brett Siegel. Though an upgrade to his status, the odds aren’t really in KD’s favor for him to make his return.

Most likely, he will indeed miss the action. However, the Rockets are leaving the door—though only minimally—open for a miraculous comeback. In any event, it also puts the Lakers on notice. Durant may be out for Game 6, but Game 7 may be different. However, Houston must first tie the series at three games apiece.

Difference in statuses

The difference in the Rockets’ update on Durant’s injury lies in the probabilities he has of playing. Had he been ruled “OUT,” that would mean he isn’t playing. Being listed as “DOUBTFUL” means there’s less than a 25% chance he laces up his shoes to take on the Lakers.

A “QUESTIONABLE” tag implies there’s a 50% or less chance, whereas “PROBABLE” indicates there’s a 75% or greater probability. Needless to say, the odds aren’t in Durant’s favor to be active during Game 6 of the NBA Playoffs’ First Round at Toyota Center.

What happened to Durant?

According to Shams Charania, Durant has been dealing with a left-ankle strain throughout the first-round series against the Lakers. As of late, a bone bruise only made matters worse, greatly decreasing his chances of playing in Game 6.

Durant may try to fight his way through the setback, but it might do him more harm than good. Perhaps, it’s best for him to leave the season in the hands of his teammates. However, that’s much easier said than done, especially considering Durant really hasn’t had any luck in the postseason ever since moving on from the Golden State Warriors.

Lakers are under siege

Los Angeles has watched its 3-0 series lead turn into a measly one-game lead as Houston refuses to go out. Even if Durant isn’t healthy enough to play in Game 6, if the Rockets win without him—like they’ve done in Games 4 and 5—the forward could be back for the win-or-go-home Game 7 back in The City of Angels. Needless to say, watching the Slim Reaper walk into the court might be a terrible omen for the Purple and Gold.

Though often mistakenly quoted, astronaut Jack Swigert said, “Houston, we’ve had a problem.” And that’s exactly what the Rockets might have said—but it seems they’ve figured things out. Now, the pressure is on LeBron James and the Lakers not to be on the wrong side of a colossal falloff in the NBA Playoffs.

When asked about the mounting narrative that Houston might actually be the superior squad, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer didn’t mince words. “I don’t care about s*** like that, bro. The game is won between the lines,” James told reporters post-game. “Ask one of the young guys that question. I’m too old for that s***.”

The return of Austin Reaves to the rotation was expected to provide the spark needed to close out the series. Instead, the Lakers looked disjointed, a far cry from the disciplined unit that dominated the first three games.

While the Lakers struggled to find their rhythm, the Rockets have proven they aren’t ready to head to the offseason. Even without Durant’s scoring gravity, Houston’s collective effort has forced Los Angeles into a precarious position.

The King’s retirement outlook

Beyond the immediate playoff pressure, the conversation around James has shifted toward his eventual exit from the league. In a resurfaced sentiment from his Mind the Game podcast, LeBron emphasized that his post-NBA life will be defined by making up for lost time with his family.

“Hell yeah. My wife is going to get a lot of time,” James said regarding his retirement. “I’ve had to sacrifice not being with my wife a lot because I wanted to be the greatest player that ever played this game.“

Game 6: Clinch or collapse?

The stakes couldn’t be higher for Friday’s Game 6. For the Rockets, a victory on home court would force a winner-take-all Game 7 and a chance to complete a historic comeback.

For the Lakers, the objective is simple: Win and advance. A victory in Game 6 ends the series and sets up a heavyweight second-round matchup against the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder. If Los Angeles can’t rediscover its early-series form, it risk letting a golden opportunity slip through its fingers.

“He’s going to go through the same process and we’ll make the decision at game time,” JJ Redick told ESPN. The Lakers’ head coach confirmed Reaves is trending toward a potential return after progressing through on-court workouts without setbacks, suggesting that fans could soon see him back on the court.

Redick‘s team and the medical staff have taken a cautious approach throughout his recovery, easing him back into basketball activities rather than rushing him into action during the first four games of the series.

When did Austin Reaves get injured?

Austin Reaves suffered a Grade 2 oblique strain on April 2, 2026, during a regular-season game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The injury occurred in the first half after he experienced discomfort in his left side.

After undergoing an MRI, the team confirmed the diagnosis and ruled him out indefinitely, with initial reports indicating a recovery timeline of approximately 4–6 weeks, according to ESPN.

How long has Austin Reaves been out?

Austin Reaves has been sidelined for several weeks, with his absence stretching since early April due to the oblique injury. Medical reports estimated a recovery window of 4 to 6 weeks, placing his return around late April or early May.

During this period, the guard has missed both the end of the regular season and multiple playoff games, with his status fluctuating between “out” and “questionable” as he progressed through on-court recovery work.

Is Austin Reaves the only injured player on the team?

No — Austin Reaves is not the only injury concern for the Lakers. The team has also been dealing with other key absences, most notably Luka Doncic, who has been sidelined with a hamstring strain during the same stretch of the postseason.

These combined injuries have significantly impacted Los Angeles’ rotation, forcing head coach JJ Redick to rely more heavily on role players and adjust offensive responsibilities across the lineup.

How has Austin Reaves’ absence affected the Lakers?

Austin Reaves’ absence has significantly impacted the Los Angeles Lakers’ offensive structure, reducing their secondary scoring, playmaking and late-game creation behind LeBron James.

The Purple and Gold have struggled at times to generate consistent half-court offense without Reaves’ ability to handle the ball, attack closeouts and create advantages for teammates.

His absence has also forced increased responsibility on role players, which has led to stretches of inconsistency in spacing and shot quality during the series against the Houston Rockets.

Without him, the team has had fewer lineup options and less flexibility in guarding opposing guards, which has made rotations more predictable in key playoff moments.

ESPN‘s Shams Charania shared this information on ‘Get Up‘ noting Durant’s likely absence. “The expectation is that they will be without Kevin Durant for Game 5. He is dealing with a bone bruise in addition to that left ankle strain,” Charania reported.

Durant has appeared in only one game in the series against the Lakers, where he logged 23 points, 41 minutes, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. His absence could significantly impact the Rockets as they face the possibility of dropping another game in the series.

The focus now shifts to the rest of the Rockets’ roster, as they delivered an impressive performance in Game 4. They are expected to replicate this success despite being without their key cornerstone player.

Durant’s late-season struggles

As Durant is expected to miss the upcoming game, he is approaching the total number of games he missed during the entire regular season with the Rockets. His absence has significantly impacted the team’s performance in this series against the Lakers.

Throughout the regular season, Durant missed only four games due to rest and injury management. If he is indeed sidelined for Game 5 against the Lakers, he will match that number, this time due to a bone bruise.

Head coach Ime Udoka must devise an effective strategy to defeat Los Angeles in this pivotal matchup. A loss would result in playoff elimination, marking the third consecutive season the team has exited at this stage.

According to ESPN‘s Shams Charania, Reaves is optimistic about returning to the court for the Lakers in Game 5. “Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves is optimistic about returning to action in Game 5 against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night after missing approximately four weeks due to a Grade 2 oblique strain,” Charania posted on social media.

Despite Reaves’ optimism, the Lakers are approaching his return with caution. Charania noted that Reaves will be a game-time decision for the third consecutive game, having been considered since Game 3.

This report complements Monday’s update, which detailed not only Austin Reaves’ movements but also included injury reports for Doncic and Kevin Durant ahead of Game 5 between the Rockets and the Lakers.

Why are the Lakers hesitant to play Reaves?

With the Lakers holding an advantage in their series and just one win away from securing a spot in the Western Conference semifinals, the coaching staff and medical team may be opting to allow Reaves to fully recover for the challenges ahead.

However, if Reaves take the court for the Lakers on Wednesday, it will highlight his significant impact on the team. After a four-week absence, Los Angeles has the opportunity to close out the series and progress further in the NBA playoffs.

Reaves’ playoff performance with the Lakers

As fans await the official announcement, Reaves is eager to add to his playoff experience. This would mark his fourth consecutive playoff appearance and his 27th postseason game.

Averaging 16.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game across 26 playoff contests, Reaves is determined to demonstrate that this season is among his finest. Winning a title would cement his status in the NBA.

According to ESPN‘s Shams Charania, Doncic will not return for the remainder of the series, even if it extends to a Game 7. On the other hand, Reaves is expected to make his playoff debut this season in Game 5.

Additionally, Charania reported that the Rockets are preparing to face the Lakers without Durant in their lineup. After his latest update, coupled with comments from Amen Thompson, Charania suggested Durant will not be available for Game 5.

Furthermore, JJ Redick, the head coach, indicated that Doncic is nearing a potential return, as recent injury reports suggest he may be back sooner than anticipated.

Projected lineups for Game 5 between Lakers and Rockets

Given these developments, Reaves is anticipated to be in the lineup, having been absent since April 2 in a regular-season game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Here are the projected lineups for both teams:

• Los Angeles Lakers projected lineup:
  • PG: Austin Reaves
  • SG: Marcus Smart
  • SF: Rui Hachimura
  • PF: LeBron James
  • C: Deandre Ayton

• Houston Rockets projected lineup:
  • PG: Reed Sheppard
  • SG: Amen Thompson
  • SF: Tari Eason
  • PF: Jabari Smith Jr.
  • C: Alperen Sengun

If the Lakers win, they will secure their spot in the Western Conference semifinals. Conversely, a Rockets win will force a Game 6, offering them a chance to rebound in the series, which currently stands at 3-1 in favor of Los Angeles. Both teams will miss one of their key players for this game, but the drive to advance in the NBA playoffs remains strong.