NBA Notes: Rockets, Kevin Durant, Lakers, Jake LaRavia, Raptors

Rockets

Coach Ime Udoka didn’t mince words after a recent loss, calling out the Rockets’ dependence on Kevin Durant and the drop-off that follows when the star isn’t on the floor.

“You take a 37-year-old out of the game for three minutes, and you lose a 13-point lead, 11–0 run,” Udoka said, via ESPN. “We don’t play with any aggression or confidence. We were mentally weak.”

Consider that a message to the supporting cast. Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun, who recently returned from a three-game absence, are among those being asked to carry more of the load. Rookie Reed Sheppard is also back in the rotation as Houston looks for steadier play when Durant sits.

Lakers

With coach JJ Redick confirming Rui Hachimura will return on a minutes restriction and come off the bench due to a right Achilles issue, the question is whether that role sticks.

In Hachimura’s absence, Jake LaRavia has made a case to remain in the starting group. In his first six games of 2026, all starts, LaRavia averaged 13.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 51.7 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from three-point range. Redick has options now, which is rarely a bad thing.

Raptors

A weekend comeback win over Philadelphia featured unexpected sparks from Jamal Shead and Collin Murray-Boyles, but the bigger picture hasn’t changed much.

That victory was sandwiched between losses to Boston and Philadelphia, the two teams closest to Toronto in the standings. Those results helped reaffirm where the Raptors currently sit in the Eastern Conference hierarchy.

Unless there’s a meaningful jump before the trade deadline, Toronto still profiles as a fringe contender, competitive most nights but a step below the conference’s top tier.