Rockets survive without Kevin Durant, dominate Lakers in Game 4 after Deandre Ayton's ejection to avoid sweep

April 27, 2026 - 08:49

The Houston Rockets refused to let their season end quietly, delivering a commanding performance against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 to avoid a series sweep. Despite playing without star forward Kevin Durant, the Rockets dominated from start to finish, securing a decisive victory that keeps their playoff hopes alive.

The game’s defining moment came in the third quarter when Lakers center Deandre Ayton was ejected for a violent and unnecessary foul. Ayton, visibly frustrated by the Rockets’ relentless pressure, swung his forearm directly into the head of Houston’s Alperen Sengun while battling for position. The blow sent Sengun to the floor immediately, and after a brief review, officials assessed a Flagrant 2 foul, ejecting Ayton on the spot. The play sparked outrage on the Rockets’ bench but also galvanized the team.

Without Durant, the Rockets leaned on a balanced scoring attack and stifling defense. Jalen Green stepped up as the primary offensive option, pouring in 28 points while dishing out seven assists. Sengun, despite the vicious hit, returned to the game and finished with a double-double, contributing 18 points and 11 rebounds. The Rockets’ bench also provided a critical spark, outscoring the Lakers’ reserves by a wide margin.

Los Angeles, which had dominated the series through three games, looked disjointed without Ayton’s interior presence. LeBron James led the Lakers with 32 points, but the team struggled to generate consistent offense in the second half. Anthony Davis, hampered by foul trouble, was limited to just 14 points on 5-of-14 shooting.

The Rockets now face an uphill battle, trailing the series 3-1 as it shifts back to Los Angeles for Game 5. However, the victory proved that Houston can compete at a high level even without its best player, and the emotional boost from Ayton’s ejection could serve as a rallying point. For the Lakers, the loss is a missed opportunity to close out the series, and they will need to regroup quickly to avoid letting the Rockets build momentum.