HOUSTON : The Houston Rockets kept their playoff hopes alive with a dominant 115-96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, reducing the deficit in their Western Conference first-round series to 3-1.
Amen Thompson led the way with 23 points, while Tari Eason added 20 as Houston delivered a balanced offensive performance despite missing Kevin Durant for the third straight game due to an ankle injury. All five Rockets starters finished in double figures, with Reed Sheppard contributing 17 points, including four three-pointers. Alperen Sengun scored 19 points and Jabari Smith Jr. added 16, with Eason and Smith grabbing eight rebounds each.
Houston head coach Ime Udoka said his team responded well after a narrow Game 3 defeat.
“We didn’t want to let that last 30 seconds beat us twice,” Udoka said. “The focus was strong, and the players showed pride. We carried over the positives from the previous game.”
The Rockets capitalized on 24 Lakers turnovers, converting them into 30 points, and outpaced their opponents in transition with 23 fastbreak points. The Lakers struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 5-for-22 (22.7%).
“We have to protect the ball if we want to win this series,” said LeBron James. “The turnovers hurt us from start to finish.”
James, who had starred in the Lakers’ Game 3 overtime win, was limited to 10 points and nine assists, while Marcus Smart added nine points as the pair combined to shoot 5-for-17. Deandre Ayton recorded 19 points and 10 rebounds but was ejected in the third quarter after a flagrant-2 foul.
The Lakers will return to Los Angeles for Game 5 on Wednesday, still holding a 3-1 series lead.
Houston seized control late in the first quarter and never trailed again. A Sengun dunk gave them the lead midway through the period, and they extended their advantage with a 16-4 run bridging the first two quarters.
Lakers coach JJ Redick acknowledged the offensive struggles, particularly in the absence of key scorers.
“It’s very challenging without our leading scorers,” Redick said. “It comes down to taking care of the ball — that’s something we need to improve.”
The Rockets maintained their momentum throughout, ensuring the series would continue.
