The Houston Rockets kept their postseason hopes alive Sunday night with a decisive 115-96 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, pushing their first-round matchup to a Game 5.
Houston took control early and never let go. Holding a nine-point advantage at the break, the Rockets surged in the third quarter, outscoring Los Angeles 34-18 to put the game out of reach.
A balanced offensive effort fueled the win. Amen Thompson paced the team with 23 points, while Tari Eason added 20 and Alperen ĆengĂŒn chipped in 19, giving Houston consistent production across the lineup.
The Lakers, meanwhile, struggled to find rhythm. LeBron James endured a tough performance, scoring just 10 points while committing eight turnovers. Frustration mounted as the game slipped away, culminating in a key moment during the third quarter when center Deandre Ayton was ejected after being assessed a Flagrant 2 foul for contact with ĆengĂŒn.
Despite the loss, Los Angeles still maintains control of the series with a 3-1 lead and will have an opportunity to close things out on its home floor.
Game 5 is set for Wednesday, April 29, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, where the Lakers will try to avoid extending the series further.
Both teams continue to deal with roster limitations. Houston was without Kevin Durant due to an ankle issue, while the Lakers remained short-handed with Luka DonÄiÄ and Austin Reaves sidelined.
History presents a steep challenge for the Rockets. No NBA team has ever rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series, with teams holding that advantage sitting at 0-159. Houstonâs win ensures at least one more game, but the margin for error remains nonexistent.