LeBron James Criticizes Officials After Adou Thiero Ejection in Game 4
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April 26, 2026 — HOUSTON — LeBron James expressed frustration with the officiating after the Los Angeles Lakers’ 111-92 Game 4 loss to the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center, focusing his ire on the late-game ejection of rookie forward Adou Thiero.
“I’m more pissed off about them kicking Adou out,” James told reporters postgame. “That was uncalled for and it just made no sense. I think that was his first time he’s ever been thrown out of a game in his life.”
The incident occurred in the fourth quarter when Thiero and Rockets guard Aaron Holiday tangled under the basket while fighting for a rebound. After exchanging words, both players received double technical fouls and were sent to the locker room. James contended the punishment was excessive, noting that Thiero had just entered the game moments earlier.
Mavericks star Luka Dončić, seated courtside in support of his offseason training partner, later volunteered to cover any league fine Thiero might receive, according to team officials.
Physical play had been a theme throughout the first-round series. Earlier in the night, Lakers center Deandre Ayton drew a Flagrant 2 foul and an automatic ejection for an elbow that struck Rockets center Alperen Şengün in the head. Ayton said the contact was accidental and that his elbow “slipped.”
James, who delivered 45 minutes of heroics in the Lakers’ overtime win in Game 3, looked fatigued Sunday, finishing with 18 points and seven turnovers. Houston, facing elimination, led wire to wire to even the best-of-seven series at 2-2.
Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena, where officiating is expected to draw increased scrutiny after back-to-back games featuring multiple ejections.
Source: LakersNation.com
