IZTOK FRANKO: LAKERS PLAYOFF OBSERVATIONS: GAME 4 VS. ROCKETS!

April 27, 2026 at 8:57 am

FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

Blip or warning sign?

After shocking the NBA world and going against all odds to win the first three games of the series, the undermanned Lakers finally came back down to Earth. A 115–96 loss in Game 4 wasn’t just a defeat—it was a blowout, reminiscent of some of their early-season high-profile collapses.

This game quickly turned into a lopsided affair, with the Rockets looking like the more desperate, aggressive, and simply fresher team from the opening tip.

And honestly, games like this happen. One team is fighting to avoid the sweep, throwing everything into a last stand. The other knows it has multiple chances to close the door. That’s what made the crazy Game 3 comeback so special—and so crucial. It prevented the doubts, even panic, the Lakers would be dealing with if the series were tied 2–2 instead of sitting at 3–1.

So the question becomes: what do we actually take from this? Is this just a blip you throw away…or a warning sign of something more concerning?

With neither Austin Reaves nor Kevin Durant returning, and both still uncertain for Game 5, that adds another layer of unpredictability, with momentum able to swing either way.

digginbasketball is a reader-supported publication. Join now for full playoff coverage and complete offseason access.

Today’s notes:

Tired legs

Continued red flags on offense

Rockets’ pressure and length wearing the Lakers down (VIDEO)

More switching, less hiding (VIDEO)

Additional notes on ejections and the battle of crippled benches

1-Tired legs

After Game 3 and in my stats breakdown yesterday, I wrote about the toll the heavy minutes have taken during this 3–0 stretch on LeBron James and the Lakers. Three players averaged 41 minutes or more coming into this game, with all five starters shouldering a heavy load. Last night was the first game of the series with only one day of rest between games, and it showed in their energy and execution.

The fatigue LeBron showed in the second half of Game 3 carried over into Game 4. He committed 8 turnovers for the second straight game and scored just 10 points on 2-of-9 shooting, with noticeably less lift at the rim. The 41-year-old is now 7-of-22 with 14 turnovers over the last three halves of the series.

The rest of the Lakers looked a step slow, overwhelmed by the Rockets’ ramped-up on-ball pressure and committing 24 turnovers, the most in any game this postseason.

𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅
@PurpGoldLakers
“We’re gonna spend some time over the next couple of days just figuring out ways to try to prevent some of those turnovers.”

JJ Redick on the 24 turnovers tonight

9:51 PM · Apr 26, 2026 · 3.1K Views
3 Replies · 7 Reposts · 91 Likes

While this blowout loss wasn’t a great look, it did give JJ Redick a chance to sit his starters early in the fourth quarter, and they’ll now get two days of rest before Game 5 on Wednesday. It will be the last extended break in the series, which adds urgency for Redick and his group to close out the younger Rockets and avoid turning this into a long war of attrition, where Durant could become an important late reinforcement.

2-Continued red flags on offense

In my series stats breakdown before Game 3, I wrote about how hot—likely unsustainable—shooting has been keeping the Lakers afloat, compensating for their turnover and rebounding issues. However, while they opened Game 3 with a strong first quarter, their shooting and overall offense have been trending downward since.

Here are their scoring outputs over the last two games:
G3 – Q1: 39
G3 – Q2: 24
G3 – Q3: 17
G3 – Q4: 21
G4 – Q1: 21
G4 – Q2: 26
G4 – Q3: 18
G4 – Q4: 31 (garbage time, end-of-bench units)

The Lakers’ offensive rating has declined since Game 1, and the cracks in their limited offense without Dončić and Reaves were on full display last night.

Turnovers, of course, have been the biggest issue. The Lakers led the playoffs in turnover rate going into the last game, and then topped that with their worst showing of the series. The Rockets, who had been struggling to score in the half court early in the series, got several easy transition buckets off Lakers turnovers. That allowed them to build an early lead for the first time in the series and, more importantly, gain confidence, which eventually showed in them winning the shooting battle that the Lakers had controlled up to this point.

Low three-point volume has been another issue I’ve been highlighting. Only the Raptors have a lower three-point frequency in the playoffs, and this is where Dončić and Reaves’ absence is hardest to replace. The Lakers attempted just 22 threes last night and made only 5. The Lakers have been making up for low volume with elite efficiency, but last night the hot three-point shooting from LeBron, Smart, and others regressed to the mean.

3-Rockets’ pressure and length wearing the Lakers down (VIDEO)

Several Lakers turnovers came from reckless passes, but that’s something this team has been prone to at times this season. It’s an area they can, and should, clean up if they want to re-establish themselves as the more poised, in-control team at home in Game 5.

More concerning were the breakdowns against the Rockets’ aggressive on-ball pressure, with Udoka clearly turning up the heat on a weary LeBron and other ball-handlers like Smart and Kennard. They helped carry the load in previous games, but are not best suited for full games, let alone an entire series of primary ball-handling duties.

The Rockets, who clearly underestimated Kennard to open the series and allowed him to score 50 points across the first two games, have since adjusted. With Amen Thompson taking the matchup personally, they’ve been far more aggressive. For the second straight game, Kennard struggled against the Rockets’ length and pressure, scoring just 7 points on 3-of-8 shooting. Smart, the other guard key to the Lakers’ success through three strong games, had a performance on the other end of the spectrum offensively, matching Kennard’s 3-of-8 shooting. He did, however, deliver another high-impact defensive game, one of the few Lakers able to match the Rockets’ intensity.

The Lakers did a great job accomplishing what Redick said was the goal: extend the series. But now it feels like they need one of their main ball-handlers back, at least Reaves.

Benjamin Royer
@thebenroyer
.@DanWoikeSports asked Lakers coach JJ Redick what getting Austin Reaves back potentially — paint-touching, initiating to create plays — into the fold would do for the offense:

“I think that’s the biggest challenge we have — is just ball handling and downhill drivers.”
9:43 PM · Apr 26, 2026 · 1.56K Views
3 Reposts · 13 Likes

4-More switching, less hiding (VIDEO)

The Lakers were the more composed and organized team at the start of this series. They had a clear plan and consistently created advantages by targeting either Reed Sheppard or Alperen Sengun. The Rockets’ strategy, especially with Sheppard, had been to show and recover, trying to avoid getting the 6’2” guard switched onto LeBron or Smart at all costs.

Last night, Udoka adjusted. He was more willing to concede the switch, having Sheppard and Sengun play more aggressively on the ball, while the help rotated behind them to cover the gaps.

As a result, Game 4 was the first game of the series where LeBron and Smart didn’t dictate the terms by manipulating matchups and playmaking off those advantages.

The Lakers did manage to exploit the more aggressive switching scheme and Sheppard scrambling on defense on a couple of occasions, either by having Hachimura and others rim run and seal in the paint in transition, or by feeding Deandre Ayton inside.

Redick, LeBron, and Smart will now have two days to analyze the film and prepare counters, finding ways to replicate that and uncover other ways to punish the Rockets’ coverage adjustment.

5-Additional notes

Ayton, ejections and techs: Ayton was assessed a Flagrant 2 and ejected after elbowing Sengun in the face. It was a tough ejection to swallow, as he had 19 and 10 and was one of the few Lakers having a good night. Before Game 3, I mentioned the Lakers would need one more strong offensive game from Ayton in this series, and you hope this one, lost in a blowout, wasn’t the only one. Adou Thiero was ejected later in the fourth quarter with the game already decided, a call that raised even more eyebrows and added to the postgame tension. Strange and needless calls overall, but if they give the Lakers extra motivation and light a fire heading into Game 5, they could end up being beneficial.

Dave McMenamin
@mcten

Dave McMenamin @mcten

New story: LeBron James shouldered the blame for a poor Game 4 performance, but it was the refs that left LAL in a foul mood Sunday https://t.co/aamr5x9sVr
12:19 AM · Apr 27, 2026 · 8.39K Views
11 Replies · 18 Reposts · 106 Likes

Sengun and Thompson growing in confidence: Without Durant, Sengun and Thompson are the Rockets’ two best players, and they seem to be finding confidence and comfort after the Lakers’ defense challenged their decision-making in the first two games. After poor shooting in the first two games, Sengun has now hit 21 of his 39 shots over the last two. Sengun has been more aggressive, going into defenders’ bodies and scoring inside for the second straight game. Thompson, meanwhile, looks more settled, finding his spots and rhythm on those 10–15 foot jumpers the Lakers are still willing to concede. Thompson scored 23 last night and 26 in Game 3.

Battle of crippled benches: The Lakers’ bench has been up and down in this series, an expected consequence of Kennard and Hachimura moving into the starting five due to injuries. Jaxson Hayes, who had been the most reliable bench performer in earlier games, struggled against Sengun’s increased physicality inside. Jake LaRavia’s offensive limitations, especially his shaky handle and decision-making, have unfortunately been exposed in his first playoff test.

However, Bronny James again showed he can handle short 2–4 minute relief stints, and Jarred Vanderbilt had a rare 8-point scoring outburst.

The Rockets’ bench had been even worse for most of the series, but they won that battle in Game 4. Udoka eliminated Clint Capela’s minutes, going small when Sengun sat. Aaron Holiday and Josh Okogie provided a much-needed shooting lift, combining for four threes, just one fewer than the Lakers’ total.

A Reaves or Durant return could flip the balance of these shorthanded rotations by adding a much-needed piece beyond the core five-man groups both coaches heavily rely on.

Comments

LakerTom says

April 27, 2026 at 8:57 am

FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

Blip or warning sign?

After shocking the NBA world and going against all odds to win the first three games of the series, the undermanned Lakers finally came back down to Earth. A 115–96 loss in Game 4 wasn’t just a defeat—it was a blowout, reminiscent of some of their early-season high-profile collapses.

This game quickly turned into a lopsided affair, with the Rockets looking like the more desperate, aggressive, and simply fresher team from the opening tip.

And honestly, games like this happen. One team is fighting to avoid the sweep, throwing everything into a last stand. The other knows it has multiple chances to close the door. That’s what made the crazy Game 3 comeback so special—and so crucial. It prevented the doubts, even panic, the Lakers would be dealing with if the series were tied 2–2 instead of sitting at 3–1.

So the question becomes: what do we actually take from this? Is this just a blip you throw away…or a warning sign of something more concerning?

With neither Austin Reaves nor Kevin Durant returning, and both still uncertain for Game 5, that adds another layer of unpredictability, with momentum able to swing either way.

digginbasketball is a reader-supported publication. Join now for full playoff coverage and complete offseason access.

Today’s notes:

Tired legs

Continued red flags on offense

Rockets’ pressure and length wearing the Lakers down (VIDEO)

More switching, less hiding (VIDEO)

Additional notes on ejections and the battle of crippled benches

1-Tired legs

After Game 3 and in my stats breakdown yesterday, I wrote about the toll the heavy minutes have taken during this 3–0 stretch on LeBron James and the Lakers. Three players averaged 41 minutes or more coming into this game, with all five starters shouldering a heavy load. Last night was the first game of the series with only one day of rest between games, and it showed in their energy and execution.

The fatigue LeBron showed in the second half of Game 3 carried over into Game 4. He committed 8 turnovers for the second straight game and scored just 10 points on 2-of-9 shooting, with noticeably less lift at the rim. The 41-year-old is now 7-of-22 with 14 turnovers over the last three halves of the series.

The rest of the Lakers looked a step slow, overwhelmed by the Rockets’ ramped-up on-ball pressure and committing 24 turnovers, the most in any game this postseason.

𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅
@PurpGoldLakers
“We’re gonna spend some time over the next couple of days just figuring out ways to try to prevent some of those turnovers.”

JJ Redick on the 24 turnovers tonight

9:51 PM · Apr 26, 2026 · 3.1K Views
3 Replies · 7 Reposts · 91 Likes

While this blowout loss wasn’t a great look, it did give JJ Redick a chance to sit his starters early in the fourth quarter, and they’ll now get two days of rest before Game 5 on Wednesday. It will be the last extended break in the series, which adds urgency for Redick and his group to close out the younger Rockets and avoid turning this into a long war of attrition, where Durant could become an important late reinforcement.

2-Continued red flags on offense

In my series stats breakdown before Game 3, I wrote about how hot—likely unsustainable—shooting has been keeping the Lakers afloat, compensating for their turnover and rebounding issues. However, while they opened Game 3 with a strong first quarter, their shooting and overall offense have been trending downward since.

Here are their scoring outputs over the last two games:
G3 – Q1: 39
G3 – Q2: 24
G3 – Q3: 17
G3 – Q4: 21
G4 – Q1: 21
G4 – Q2: 26
G4 – Q3: 18
G4 – Q4: 31 (garbage time, end-of-bench units)

The Lakers’ offensive rating has declined since Game 1, and the cracks in their limited offense without Dončić and Reaves were on full display last night.

Turnovers, of course, have been the biggest issue. The Lakers led the playoffs in turnover rate going into the last game, and then topped that with their worst showing of the series. The Rockets, who had been struggling to score in the half court early in the series, got several easy transition buckets off Lakers turnovers. That allowed them to build an early lead for the first time in the series and, more importantly, gain confidence, which eventually showed in them winning the shooting battle that the Lakers had controlled up to this point.

Low three-point volume has been another issue I’ve been highlighting. Only the Raptors have a lower three-point frequency in the playoffs, and this is where Dončić and Reaves’ absence is hardest to replace. The Lakers attempted just 22 threes last night and made only 5. The Lakers have been making up for low volume with elite efficiency, but last night the hot three-point shooting from LeBron, Smart, and others regressed to the mean.

3-Rockets’ pressure and length wearing the Lakers down (VIDEO)

Several Lakers turnovers came from reckless passes, but that’s something this team has been prone to at times this season. It’s an area they can, and should, clean up if they want to re-establish themselves as the more poised, in-control team at home in Game 5.

More concerning were the breakdowns against the Rockets’ aggressive on-ball pressure, with Udoka clearly turning up the heat on a weary LeBron and other ball-handlers like Smart and Kennard. They helped carry the load in previous games, but are not best suited for full games, let alone an entire series of primary ball-handling duties.

The Rockets, who clearly underestimated Kennard to open the series and allowed him to score 50 points across the first two games, have since adjusted. With Amen Thompson taking the matchup personally, they’ve been far more aggressive. For the second straight game, Kennard struggled against the Rockets’ length and pressure, scoring just 7 points on 3-of-8 shooting. Smart, the other guard key to the Lakers’ success through three strong games, had a performance on the other end of the spectrum offensively, matching Kennard’s 3-of-8 shooting. He did, however, deliver another high-impact defensive game, one of the few Lakers able to match the Rockets’ intensity.

The Lakers did a great job accomplishing what Redick said was the goal: extend the series. But now it feels like they need one of their main ball-handlers back, at least Reaves.

Benjamin Royer
@thebenroyer
.@DanWoikeSports asked Lakers coach JJ Redick what getting Austin Reaves back potentially — paint-touching, initiating to create plays — into the fold would do for the offense:

“I think that’s the biggest challenge we have — is just ball handling and downhill drivers.”
9:43 PM · Apr 26, 2026 · 1.56K Views
3 Reposts · 13 Likes

4-More switching, less hiding (VIDEO)

The Lakers were the more composed and organized team at the start of this series. They had a clear plan and consistently created advantages by targeting either Reed Sheppard or Alperen Sengun. The Rockets’ strategy, especially with Sheppard, had been to show and recover, trying to avoid getting the 6’2” guard switched onto LeBron or Smart at all costs.

Last night, Udoka adjusted. He was more willing to concede the switch, having Sheppard and Sengun play more aggressively on the ball, while the help rotated behind them to cover the gaps.

As a result, Game 4 was the first game of the series where LeBron and Smart didn’t dictate the terms by manipulating matchups and playmaking off those advantages.

The Lakers did manage to exploit the more aggressive switching scheme and Sheppard scrambling on defense on a couple of occasions, either by having Hachimura and others rim run and seal in the paint in transition, or by feeding Deandre Ayton inside.

Redick, LeBron, and Smart will now have two days to analyze the film and prepare counters, finding ways to replicate that and uncover other ways to punish the Rockets’ coverage adjustment.

5-Additional notes

Ayton, ejections and techs: Ayton was assessed a Flagrant 2 and ejected after elbowing Sengun in the face. It was a tough ejection to swallow, as he had 19 and 10 and was one of the few Lakers having a good night. Before Game 3, I mentioned the Lakers would need one more strong offensive game from Ayton in this series, and you hope this one, lost in a blowout, wasn’t the only one. Adou Thiero was ejected later in the fourth quarter with the game already decided, a call that raised even more eyebrows and added to the postgame tension. Strange and needless calls overall, but if they give the Lakers extra motivation and light a fire heading into Game 5, they could end up being beneficial.

Dave McMenamin
@mcten

Dave McMenamin @mcten

New story: LeBron James shouldered the blame for a poor Game 4 performance, but it was the refs that left LAL in a foul mood Sunday https://t.co/aamr5x9sVr
12:19 AM · Apr 27, 2026 · 8.39K Views
11 Replies · 18 Reposts · 106 Likes

Sengun and Thompson growing in confidence: Without Durant, Sengun and Thompson are the Rockets’ two best players, and they seem to be finding confidence and comfort after the Lakers’ defense challenged their decision-making in the first two games. After poor shooting in the first two games, Sengun has now hit 21 of his 39 shots over the last two. Sengun has been more aggressive, going into defenders’ bodies and scoring inside for the second straight game. Thompson, meanwhile, looks more settled, finding his spots and rhythm on those 10–15 foot jumpers the Lakers are still willing to concede. Thompson scored 23 last night and 26 in Game 3.

Battle of crippled benches: The Lakers’ bench has been up and down in this series, an expected consequence of Kennard and Hachimura moving into the starting five due to injuries. Jaxson Hayes, who had been the most reliable bench performer in earlier games, struggled against Sengun’s increased physicality inside. Jake LaRavia’s offensive limitations, especially his shaky handle and decision-making, have unfortunately been exposed in his first playoff test.

However, Bronny James again showed he can handle short 2–4 minute relief stints, and Jarred Vanderbilt had a rare 8-point scoring outburst.

The Rockets’ bench had been even worse for most of the series, but they won that battle in Game 4. Udoka eliminated Clint Capela’s minutes, going small when Sengun sat. Aaron Holiday and Josh Okogie provided a much-needed shooting lift, combining for four threes, just one fewer than the Lakers’ total.

A Reaves or Durant return could flip the balance of these shorthanded rotations by adding a much-needed piece beyond the core five-man groups both coaches heavily rely on.

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