Rockets' Offensive Outburst Takes Down Lakers, Keep Season Alive, Series Now 1-3
The Houston Rockets secured a crucial 115-96 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference playoffs, staving off elimination and bringing the series to 1-3, with all five starters scoring at least 16 points.
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- 📰 Published: April 27, 2026 at 14:45
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Central News Agency (Houston, April 26 comprehensive foreign report) - With all five starters scoring at least 16 points, the NBA Houston Rockets today achieved a dominant 115-96 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of the Western Conference playoff series, escaping elimination.
The Rockets entered today's game facing a desperate 0-3 deficit, with Kevin Durant once again sidelined due to a left ankle sprain. However, relying on a balanced offensive firepower from the entire team, the Rockets secured their first win in this best-of-seven series.
Among the Rockets' five starters, Amen Thompson scored 23 points, Tari Eason 20 points, Alperen Sengun 19 points, Shepherd 17 points, and Jabari Smith Jr. 16 points.
For the Lakers, Deandre Ayton had the best performance with 19 points and 10 rebounds, but he was ejected in the third quarter with about 5 and a half minutes remaining for an "unnecessary and excessive" Flagrant 2 foul after hitting Sengun in the face with his elbow. Ayton's absence further worsened the Lakers' situation, as LeBron James had an exceptionally poor shooting night and was unable to lead the team to a sweep.
James shot only 2-for-9, finishing with 10 points, 9 assists, and 8 turnovers, before resting with about 7 and a half minutes left in the game. In the previous three games, he scored 19, 28, and 29 points respectively.
However, James was not the only Laker struggling; the entire team made only 5 three-pointers, in contrast to the 35 three-pointers made in the first three games combined.
James missed all three of his three-point attempts, Marcus Smart missed both of his, and Luke Kennard also went 0-for-3.
In Game 3 on the 24th, the Rockets held a 6-point lead with 26 seconds left in regulation but were forced into overtime by their opponents and ultimately lost 108-112. With their backs against the wall, the Rockets clearly came out with intensity in today's Game 4.
The Rockets led by 9 points at halftime and started the third quarter with a 12-4 run, extending their lead to 68-51. By the end of the third quarter, their advantage reached a maximum of 19 points, followed by another 9-3 run, widening the gap to 90-65 at the end of the third quarter.
With about 7 and a half minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Rockets' lead reached 23 points; Lakers coach JJ Redick, seeing the situation was beyond recovery, then put all bench players on the court.
Game 5 of the series will be played in Los Angeles on the evening of the 29th (US time). (Editor: Tsai Chia-min) 1150427
The Rockets entered today's game facing a desperate 0-3 deficit, with Kevin Durant once again sidelined due to a left ankle sprain. However, relying on a balanced offensive firepower from the entire team, the Rockets secured their first win in this best-of-seven series.
Among the Rockets' five starters, Amen Thompson scored 23 points, Tari Eason 20 points, Alperen Sengun 19 points, Shepherd 17 points, and Jabari Smith Jr. 16 points.
For the Lakers, Deandre Ayton had the best performance with 19 points and 10 rebounds, but he was ejected in the third quarter with about 5 and a half minutes remaining for an "unnecessary and excessive" Flagrant 2 foul after hitting Sengun in the face with his elbow. Ayton's absence further worsened the Lakers' situation, as LeBron James had an exceptionally poor shooting night and was unable to lead the team to a sweep.
James shot only 2-for-9, finishing with 10 points, 9 assists, and 8 turnovers, before resting with about 7 and a half minutes left in the game. In the previous three games, he scored 19, 28, and 29 points respectively.
However, James was not the only Laker struggling; the entire team made only 5 three-pointers, in contrast to the 35 three-pointers made in the first three games combined.
James missed all three of his three-point attempts, Marcus Smart missed both of his, and Luke Kennard also went 0-for-3.
In Game 3 on the 24th, the Rockets held a 6-point lead with 26 seconds left in regulation but were forced into overtime by their opponents and ultimately lost 108-112. With their backs against the wall, the Rockets clearly came out with intensity in today's Game 4.
The Rockets led by 9 points at halftime and started the third quarter with a 12-4 run, extending their lead to 68-51. By the end of the third quarter, their advantage reached a maximum of 19 points, followed by another 9-3 run, widening the gap to 90-65 at the end of the third quarter.
With about 7 and a half minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Rockets' lead reached 23 points; Lakers coach JJ Redick, seeing the situation was beyond recovery, then put all bench players on the court.
Game 5 of the series will be played in Los Angeles on the evening of the 29th (US time). (Editor: Tsai Chia-min) 1150427