Houston refused to fold. Facing elimination, the Rockets delivered their best performance of the series, stunning the Lakers with a dominant win that keeps their playoff hopes alive. Yankee Scores reports the recap of the game.
Thompson leads the Offense
Amen Thompson led the way with 23 points, while Tari Eason added 20 in Houston’s 115‑96 victory. The Rockets balanced their attack, with every starter scoring at least 16 points. Alperen Sengun posted 19, Reed Sheppard had 17, and Jabari Smith Jr. chipped in 16.
Lakers Falter
The Lakers struggled from the start. Deandre Ayton scored 19 points with 10 rebounds before being ejected for a flagrant foul on Sengun. Sengun in a post interview said, “I don’t wanna make the officials crazy, but I didn’t expect him to be ejected. I thought it was a little bit soft.”. LeBron James had just 10 points on 2‑of‑9 shooting, committing eight turnovers. Los Angeles managed only five 3‑pointers after hitting 35 in the first three games.
Durant Still Out
Kevin Durant missed his third straight game with ankle and knee injuries, but Houston found rhythm without him. Thompson said the team capitalized on turnovers and finally hit shots at the right moments, showing resilience with their backs against the wall.
Turning Point
Houston built a nine‑point halftime lead and extended it with a 12‑4 run to open the third quarter. By the fourth, the Rockets were up by 25, forcing Lakers coach JJ Redick to clear the bench. The win came just two nights after Houston’s crushing overtime loss in Game 3.
What’s Next
The Rockets trail 3‑1 but head to Los Angeles for Game 5 on Wednesday with renewed confidence. For the Lakers, turnovers and poor shooting must be corrected quickly if they want to close out the series.
