Rockets Avoid Sweep, Top Lakers 115-96 in Game 4 Sport By lines April 26, 2026 Houston Rockets stayed alive Sunday with a 115-96 Game 4 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The Rockets pulled the series to 3-1, sending it back to Los Angeles for Game 5. The Lakers played without Luka Doncic, who sat with a hamstring strain. Doncic Absence Cracks Lakers’ Closeout Plan The Los Angeles Lakers entered Game 4 leading the first-round series 3-0 over Houston. The Lakers sought a four-game sweep of the Rockets at Toyota Center on Sunday night. The Lakers ruled out Luka Doncic before tipoff with a hamstring strain. Houston had not won a game in the series before Sunday. Houston outscored Los Angeles by 19 points. The Rockets faced a 3-0 series deficit entering Game 4. No team in NBA playoff history has overcome a 3-0 deficit. The Lakers can close the series with a Game 5 win at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Rockets need three straight victories to advance past Los Angeles. Game 5 takes place this week in Los Angeles. Related Sports Coverage Lakers Eye Sweep of Rockets in Game 4 With Durant Iffy LeBron Hits Game-Tying 3, Lakers Top Rockets in OT Kevin Durant Out for Game 3 With Sprained Left Ankle Source: NBA.com.
