LeBron James Takes Responsibility as Lakers Suffer Blowout to Rockets in Game 4

On Sunday the Los Angeles Lakers fell 115-96 to the Houston Rockets in Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round series, giving Houston a 3-1 series lead. The loss followed three straight Lakers wins that had placed the team ahead 3-0. The Lakers entered halftime down nine points and were outscored 34-18 in the third quarter. LeBron James recorded 10 points on 2-for-9 shooting (22.2%) and committed eight turnovers, matching his point total.

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• LeBron James – Lakers forward who accepted blame for the loss.

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• Deandre Ayton – Lakers center ejected after a flagrant-2 foul on Rockets forward Alperen Sengun.

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• Alperen Sengun – Rockets forward with 19 points, 13 rebounds; questioned Ayton’s ejection.

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• Adou Thiero – Lakers rookie who received a technical foul and was ejected late in the game.

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• Josh Okogie and Aaron Holiday – Rockets players who each earned a technical foul and were ejected.

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• Marcus Smart – Lakers guard who responded to post-game trash talk with a deadpan comment.

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• JJ Redick – Lakers head coach, cited injuries and ball-handling issues.

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The Lakers turned the ball over eight times, with James responsible for four in the third quarter. Technical fouls totaled five (three on the Lakers, two on the Rockets). Ejections included Ayton, Thiero, Okogie, and Holiday. Rockets starters in double figures numbered five, highlighted by Sengun’s 19 points and 13 rebounds.

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LeBron James said the game began with his mistakes and called his turnovers unacceptable, noting that the team's defensive effort was not the problem. Coach Redick pointed to the loss of Austin Reaves to a Grade 2 oblique strain and stressed the need for better ball handling and downhill driving. Ayton said the atmosphere felt sweaty and expressed a desire to end the series at home in Game 5. Luka Doncic said he would pay any NBA fine arising from Thiero’s ejection.

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Alperen Sengun said he did not expect officials to eject Ayton, questioning the justification. James called Thiero’s ejection uncalled for and nonsensical. Marcus Smart called the incident hilarious, underscoring the tension surrounding the technical fouls and ejections.

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• “My turnovers were unacceptable.” — LeBron James, Lakers forward

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• “I don't want to make the officials crazy, but I mean, I didn't expect them to eject him to be honest,” — Alperen Sengun, Rockets forward

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• “That was uncalled for and it made no sense,” — LeBron James, Lakers forward

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• “Very hilarious.” — Marcus Smart, Lakers guard

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Game 5 is set for Wednesday night in Los Angeles. A Lakers win would force a decisive Game 6, while a Rockets victory would clinch the series. Both teams indicated heightened intensity and a focus on correcting offensive execution.

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