Kevin Durant to sit out Rockets’ second Macao preseason game, Marc Stein reports

Kevin Durant will not play in Houston’s second preseason game against Dallas in Macao on Sunday, according to Marc Stein’s October 9 report. Stein attributed the update to Rockets coach Ime Udoka.

The announcement follows Houston’s 135-117 win over the Mavericks at The Venetian Arena on Friday. Durant finished that exhibition with 15 points and two assists in 23 minutes, according to Sports Illustrated’s Rockets coverage.

A different lineup for the rematch

Durant started alongside Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun in the first meeting. His absence gives Houston a different lineup to evaluate in the second exhibition. The report does not establish a new injury diagnosis, and it should not be read as a regular-season availability ruling.

Dallas is expected to make a notable change as well. Stein reported that Kyrie Irving is expected to play Sunday after sitting out Friday’s game. That remains an expected appearance, rather than confirmation that he has already returned to game action.

The two updates concern one preseason rematch, so they are being kept together rather than split into separate stories. Houston’s first-game result is final; Sunday’s rotations and performance are still to come. Any later change to either player’s status would need a fresh team update before it could be treated as confirmed.

Rockets coach Ime Udoka says Kevin Durant will not play in Sunday's second game of Houston's exhibition series in Macao against Dallas.

The Mavericks' Kyrie Irving is expected to play in Sunday's game — his first game action in nearly 20 months — after being held out today.

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 9, 2026

Checked October 10, 2026. Sources: Marc Stein; Sports Illustrated.