The Los Angeles Lakers surrendered their first loss of the series on Sunday, falling 118-91 to the Houston Rockets in Game 4 at Crypto.com Arena. Head coach JJ Redick cited ball security and the continued absence of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves as the primary reasons for the blowout.
“This is a top-10 defense the entire season,” Redick said of Houston after the game. “It’s obviously very challenging without your two leading scorers to generate offense. It goes back to our key of taking care of the ball.”
Los Angeles turned the ball over 23 times, well above its season average. LeBron James was charged with eight of those miscues and acknowledged that the team’s carelessness decided the outcome.
Loss of Primary Creators
Doncic and Reaves, both sidelined with injuries, were the Lakers’ top on-ball scorers and playmakers during the 2025-26 campaign. Without them, Redick said the roster lacks reliable ball-handling and downhill driving.
Veterans Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard have filled in but have not matched the production of the injured duo. Redick emphasized that generating efficient offense remains difficult until at least one of his regular starters returns.
Possible Reinforcement for Game 5
According to the team, Reaves is trending toward a return as early as Game 5, while Doncic remains without a timetable. Any minutes from Reaves would ease the playmaking burden currently carried almost entirely by James.
Game 5 of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Wednesday in Los Angeles, where the Lakers will try to regain momentum and cut down on turnovers.
Source: LakersNation.com
