Getty

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 01: Alperen Sengun #28 of the Houston Rockets looks on at the free throw line against the Sacramento Kings during the second half at Toyota Center on March 01, 2025 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers will return to Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday with a chance to close out their first-round series against Houston. The Lakers hold a 3-1 advantage after dropping Game 4 on Sunday by a 115-96 margin. LeBron James finished with 10 points on a rough shooting night.

Deandre Ayton was ejected in the third quarter after officials ruled he committed a flagrant 2 foul. Ayton had been one of the Lakers’ most effective players to that point with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

After the game, Rockets center Alperen Sengun was asked about the ejection. His answer was striking for its honesty.

Sengun Offers Candid Take on the Call

Sengun did not hide behind typical postgame diplomacy when addressing what happened to Ayton.

“I don’t want to like make the officials crazy but I didn’t expect him to be ejected. I think it was a little bit soft… I’m glad they called it,” Sengun said.

The contradiction was immediate and obvious. Sengun believed the ejection did not match the severity typically associated with a flagrant 2 foul. By his assessment, this did not meet the criteria.

But Sengun also recognized what the call meant for his team. Ayton had controlled the paint through the first half and into the third quarter. Removing him gave Houston room to operate without facing the Lakers’ most productive interior presence. Sengun was honest about both sides of that reality.

Ayton Addresses What Happened

Ayton spoke with reporters after the game and maintained the contact was accidental. He described trying to establish position while both players were slick with perspiration, and his elbow made unintended contact during the battle for space.

“I just hope he’s all right and doesn’t think it was intentional,” Ayton said.

Head coach JJ Redick characterized Ayton as someone without a history of malicious play and said the contact appeared to result from unfortunate positioning rather than intent.

LeBron James offered a similar perspective, suggesting the precision required to execute that kind of contact deliberately would be difficult to achieve in live game action.

GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 24: Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)

What Comes Next for the Lakers

Game 5 represents a closeout opportunity for the Lakers at home. The Rockets put together their most complete defensive performance of the playoffs on Sunday, forcing errors and limiting second-chance opportunities.

Eason recorded 20 points while taking on the primary defensive assignment against James. Houston’s pressure created problems for a Lakers team still without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves due to injury.

The Lakers will need to protect the basketball and find more consistent offensive contributions if they want to avoid a return trip to Houston for Game 6.

GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 26: Jabari Smith Jr. #10 of the Houston Rockets defends LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarteri in Game Four of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Final Word for the Lakers

Sengun thought the ejection was questionable. He was also glad his team benefited from it.

Ayton’s night ended earlier than anyone expected. The Lakers lost him from Game 4 in the middle of the third quarter and could not recover.

Wednesday brings a chance to finish it off at home.