The Los Angeles Lakers failed to pull off a series sweep against the Houston Rockets on Sunday. Despite missing their leading scorer, Kevin Durant, the Rockets kept their season alive with a 115-96 win over the Lakers.

The Lakers still hold a 3-1 series lead over the Rockets but will need to win one more game to advance the Western Conference semifinals. During the Lakers’ first loss of the playoffs, two players were ejected from the game: veteran center DeAndre Ayton and rookie forward Adou Thiero.

Ayton went first with 5:41 left in the third quarter after hitting Rockets center Alperen Şengün in the head with his left forearm while defending the two-time NBA All-Star. He earned a Flagrant 2 foul call.

This was Ayton’s first ejection of his career.

After the game, Ayton claimed the hit on Şengün was unintentional. Şengün also said he did not expect Ayton to be ejected for the foul and said the call was “a little bit soft”.

“I was really just trying to brace for the contact with Şengün and we both are sweaty guys,” Ayton said, per ESPN. “I just slipped off his shoulder. My elbow hit him right there above the shoulder. It looked crazy on camera, but I’m not no guy who is a dirty player or who plays like that.”

Ayton exited the game with a team-leading 19 points and 10 rebounds.

LeBron James Was Mad Thiero Was Ejected

Thiero was ejected from the game with 1:11 remaining in the fourth quarter for getting tangled up with Rockets guard Aaron Holiday while preparing to get a rebound.

After the game, Lakers coach JJ Redick said he did not get a good explanation on why the referees ejected Thiero. Lakers star LeBron James told reporters he was angry that Thiero was ejected, as the call “made no sense”.

“I’m more pissed off about them kicking Adou out,” James told reporters after the game. “That was uncalled for and it made no sense. Think that’s his first time he’s ever been thrown out of a game in his life. I don’t think that was warranted. Give him two technicals, the kid just got in the game, that was ridiculous.”

The Lakers will be back at Crypto.com Arena to go head-to-head with the Rockets in Game 5 on Wednesday.

Photo Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

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