LeBron James shoulders responsibility as Lakers stumble 115-96 in Houston
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HOUSTON, Apr. 27, 2026 — LeBron James accepted full responsibility Sunday after the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a 115-96 defeat to the Houston Rockets in Game 4 of their Western Conference first-round matchup.
James finished with 10 points and eight turnovers, shooting 2-for-9 from the field. “My turnovers were unacceptable,” he said after the Rockets trimmed the Lakers’ series lead to 3-1. Game 5 is set for Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Los Angeles trailed by nine at intermission but was outscored 34-18 in the third quarter, when James committed four giveaways and missed all three of his shots. He did not reach double figures until a layup with 8:36 remaining in the fourth, cutting Houston’s margin from 26 to 24.
Ayton ejected, tempers flare
The Lakers’ lone bright spot, Deandre Ayton, was tossed with 5:41 left in the third after officials upgraded a common foul to a Flagrant 2. Ayton’s forearm struck Alperen Sengun in the head as the Rockets center posted up.
“I’m not a dirty player,” Ayton said, explaining that his arm slipped. James added that Ayton appeared to be bracing for contact. Even Sengun, who recorded 19 points and 13 rebounds while starting in place of the injured Kevin Durant (bone bruise, sprained left ankle), called the ejection “a little bit soft.”
Five technical fouls followed: Jaxson Hayes, Maxi Kleber and rookie Adou Thiero for Los Angeles, and Josh Okogie and Aaron Holiday for Houston. Thiero and Holiday received second technicals with 1:11 left and were ejected for continued jawing.
James labeled Thiero’s dismissal “uncalled for,” and in the locker room Luka Doncic told the rookie he would cover any league fine. Postgame, several Lakers said Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate used profanity while challenging the 6-foot-10, 240-pound Kleber to fight at midcourt. Guard Marcus Smart called the exchange “very hilarious.”
Offense sputters without key ball handlers
Smart, averaging 20.3 points through the first three games, scored nine on 3-for-8 shooting. Luke Kennard added seven on identical shooting numbers. “Defense wasn’t our problem tonight,” James said. “It was our offense.”
Austin Reaves (Grade 2 left oblique strain) missed a second straight contest despite being listed as questionable, joining Doncic on the sideline. “The biggest challenge is ball handling and downhill driving without those guys,” coach JJ Redick said.
Series shifts back to Los Angeles
Despite the setback, the Lakers remain one victory from advancing to a potential second-round meeting with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, who lead the Phoenix Suns 3-0. “I’m licking my chops,” Ayton said of Wednesday’s Game 5. “We just have to try to end this at home.”
Source: ESPN
