The Los Angeles Lakers had an opportunity to close out their playoff series on Sunday, but the Houston Rockets kept it alive with a 115-96 victory at home.
It was a rare off night for LeBron James, who struggled with eight turnovers and just 10 points on 2-of-9 shooting, as noted by Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
After the game, James took the blame, saying, “It started with me, obviously. My turnovers were unacceptable.”
The Lakers also lost Deandre Ayton in the third quarter after he was ejected for a flagrant foul 2, having struck Alperen Sengun in the head with his forearm.
The call was upgraded after review, though players on both sides questioned the decision.
“We both are sweaty guys,” Ayton explained. “[My arm] just slipped off his shoulder. … I’m not no guy who is a dirty player or who plays like that.”
“I don’t want to make the officials crazy, but I mean, I didn’t expect them to eject him to be honest,” Sengun said. “I think it was a little bit soft. … I guess it is what it is, they called it. I’m glad they called it. So, we go from there.”
Tensions escalated from there, with multiple technical fouls handed out – including to Jaxson Hayes, Maxi Kleber, Adou Thiero, Josh Okogie, and Aaron Holiday.
Both Thiero and Holiday were ejected late in the game following a heated exchange.
The intensity carried over after the final buzzer, as players reported that Jae’Sean Tate continued to taunt opponents and even challenged Kleber to a fight.
LeBron James was frustrated with himself after Game 4: https://t.co/T6ts0mVBn9
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) April 27, 2026
