No tricks left: LeBron, Lakers fall flat in blowout loss

The Houston Rockets earned a lifeline in their first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers. Houston delivered a commanding 115–96 win, cutting the series deficit to 3–1 and bouncing back after a crushing Game 3 loss in which they squandered a six-point lead in the final 26 seconds before falling in overtime.

That collapse had been especially painful because the Lakers pulled off a near miracle at the Toyota Center. Without Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique), LeBron James once again donned the superhero cape, forcing a crucial turnover and hitting a three-pointer to send the game into overtime. It was another signature moment for “The King,” putting the Lakers one win away from the Western Conference semifinals.

This time, no magic

The Lakers’ first chance to close out the series fell apart. They stayed competitive through halftime (56–47), largely thanks to Deandre Ayton, who scored 15 of his 19 points in the first half. But his night ended early after being ejected midway through the third quarter for a controversial Flagrant 2 foul on Alperen Sengun.

Even Sengun seemed surprised by the call, while LeBron didn’t hold back, calling the decision “ridiculous.” Still, Ayton’s absence wasn’t the defining factor.

The real problem: shooting and mistakes

The Lakers simply couldn’t hit from deep. They shot a dreadful 5-for-22 from three-point range after combining for 35 makes across the first three games. Marcus Smart missed both of his attempts, while Luke Kennard went 0-for-3.

LeBron struggled as well, missing all three of his attempts from beyond the arc and finishing with just 10 points, far below his 25.5 average in the series. He also committed eight of the Lakers’ staggering 23 turnovers.

Rockets take control

Houston capitalized on every weakness. All five starters scored in double figures in a balanced team effort. Amen Thompson led the way with 23 points, while Tari Eason added 20 and Sengun chipped in 19.

The Rockets broke the game open in the third quarter, pushing their lead past 20 points (76–55) and eventually stretching it to 25 (90–65) early in the fourth.

Series shifts back to L.A.

Houston lives to fight another day, and they’ve done it without Kevin Durant, who has yet to appear in the series due to a knee contusion and later an ankle sprain.

Now the series heads back to Los Angeles, where the Lakers may regain reinforcements with the possible return of Reaves. But after this performance, one question lingers: Do they have another miracle left?

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