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Rockets Crush Lakers 115-96, Lead Series 3-1

4/27/2026

Summary

Rockets Crush Lakers

The Houston Rockets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 115-96 in Game 4 on April 27, 2026, taking a 3-1 series lead.
The Rockets' scoring featured Amen Thompson's 23 points and seven assists and Alperen Sengün's 19 points, while LeBron James managed 10 points on 2-of-9 shooting, nine assists and eight turnovers.
Deandre Ayton posted 19 points and 10 rebounds before a flagrant-foul ejection, with the Lakers’ 24 turnovers yielding 30 Rockets points.

Summary

Udoka Blasts Rockets

Coach Ime Udoka blasted the Rockets after the Game 3 collapse, calling the mistakes “horrendous.”
Houston now runs a point-center system with Alperen Sengün, while GM Rafael Stone was criticized for missing trade target Ayo Dosunmu, sparking Sengün summer-move rumors.
Analysts and SportsLine predict Rockets need guard Fred VanVleet and a Game 4 with 12 players in double figures and the total over, as in seven of the last ten Houston-Lakers meetings.

History

Historical Context

After winning back-to-back titles as a sixth seed in 1995, the Rockets became the first team to capture the NBA championship without home-court advantage, posting a 47-35 regular-season record and defeating three 50-win opponents. That underdog spirit, forged by Hakeem Olajuwon and coach Rudy Tomjanovich, now resurfaces as Houston meets the Los Angeles Lakers in the current playoffs.

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Rockets Crush Lakers

The Houston Rockets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 115-96 in Game 4 on April 27, 2026, taking a 3-1 series lead.
The Rockets' scoring featured Amen Thompson's 23 points and seven assists and Alperen Sengün's 19 points, while LeBron James managed 10 points on 2-of-9 shooting, nine assists and eight turnovers.
Deandre Ayton posted 19 points and 10 rebounds before a flagrant-foul ejection, with the Lakers’ 24 turnovers yielding 30 Rockets points.

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