Lakers Eye Sweep of Rockets in Game 4 With Durant Iffy

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April 26, 2026

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Lakers vs Rockets Game 4 tips off Sunday at 9:30 PM ET on NBC. Los Angeles leads the West first round series 3-0. NBA teams down 3-0 in a series are 0-159 all-time. The Houston Rockets face elimination at home.

Durant Status Looms as Houston Tries to Avoid the Sweep

Kevin Durant is listed as questionable for Game 4 with a sprained left ankle. Durant missed Game 3 entirely after the ankle injury occurred in Game 2. Durant also missed Game 1 with a bruised right knee. Rockets coach Ime Udoka said Durant is receiving treatment around the clock. Udoka noted progress in reducing swelling around the ankle. Durant’s status will be a game-time decision.

LeBron James is averaging 25.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 8.7 assists in the series. James shoots 47.4% from the field and 43.8% on 3-pointers in the series. James is 41 years old in this playoff run. James scored 29 points with 13 rebounds and six assists in Game 3. The Lakers are missing Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the team’s top two scorers. Luke Kennard averages 21.3 points per game across the three games. Marcus Smart adds 20.3 points per game in the series. Rui Hachimura contributes 16.3 points per game for Los Angeles.

The Houston Rockets started Game 3 with five players age 24 or younger. Alperen Sengun posted 33 points, 16 rebounds, and six assists in Game 3. Amen Thompson recorded 26 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists in Game 3. Jabari Smith Jr. added 24 points and six rebounds in Game 3. The Houston Rockets shoot 28.7% on 3-pointers in the series. Each game in the series has been decided by nine points or fewer. Game 3 went to overtime after Los Angeles erased a six-point deficit in the final 30 seconds. Marcus Smart made three free throws with 25.4 seconds left in regulation. LeBron James hit a tying 3-pointer with 13.6 seconds remaining.