The Houston Rockets postponed elimination Sunday by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 115-96 at Toyota Center, trimming L.A.’s series lead to 3-1 and sending the matchup back to California for Game 5 on Wednesday.
LeBron James endured one of his roughest postseason performances, committing eight turnovers and scoring just 10 points on 2-for-9 shooting. “It started with me, obviously. My turnovers were unacceptable,” James told reporters afterward.
Ayton Ejected After Flagrant 2
The contest turned physical when Lakers center Deandre Ayton was assessed a flagrant foul 2 and thrown out with 5:41 remaining in the third quarter for striking Alperen Sengun in the head with his forearm. Officials upgraded the play to a flagrant following video review. Both players questioned the severity of the ruling.
“We both are sweaty guys, my arm just slipped off his shoulder. I’m not a dirty player,” Ayton said. Sengun added, “I didn’t expect them to eject him… I think it was a little bit soft.”
More Technicals, Late Ejections
After Ayton’s dismissal, tempers flared. Officials issued five technical fouls—Jaxson Hayes, Maxi Kleber and Adou Thiero for Los Angeles; Josh Okogie and Aaron Holiday for Houston. Thiero and Holiday were both ejected with 1:11 left because of an ongoing verbal exchange. Postgame, several Lakers said JaeSean Tate continued taunting and challenged Kleber to a fight as the teams left the floor.
Injury Watch for Game 5
The availability of several stars remains uncertain. Lakers guard Austin Reaves (Grade 2 left oblique strain) sat out for a second straight game but is still listed as questionable. Rockets forward Kevin Durant missed his third contest of the series and second due to a bone bruise in his sprained left ankle; head coach Ime Udoka said a return later in the series is still possible.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick told reporters before Game 4 that guard Luka Doncic is “still in the early stages” of recovery from a left hamstring strain, doing mostly stand-still work with no timetable for action.
Sengun’s Pre-Game Message
Sengun, in his fifth NBA season, delivered a passionate speech during the team’s morning shootaround, motivating Houston despite the 3-0 deficit at the time. “It’s hard to talk another language, but I try every day. At the end of the day, they understand me and I’m happy with that,” the Turkish center said.
Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena, where the Lakers will get another chance to close out the series.
Source: Hoops Rumors
