Deandre Ayton ejected in Game 4 as Lakers collapse against Rockets
Lakers center Deandre Ayton was ejected after a flagrant two foul on Alperen Sengun as Los Angeles fell apart against the Houston Rockets in Game 4 at Toyota Center.
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) controls the ball against Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) during the first half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs... Deandre Ayton has left the building. Midway through the third quarter of Game 4 between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets inside the Toyota Center, Ayton hit Alperen Sengun flush across the face with a left elbow.
A foul was called and the officials went to check the replay. At first glance, it felt like a sure-fire flagrant one foul. It was hard, and a little reckless.
But after a few minutes, the officials determined it did reach the criteria of a flagrant two foul and Ayton was immediately ejected from the game. https://t. co/8NoglBpAOY pic.
twitter. com/5Iu1wBTelI — Khobi Price (@khobi_price) April 27, 2026 The officials determined that the elbow contact rose to the level of intent, not just careless, but punitive. Ayton and several Lakers players were shocked by the decision, even pleading to the officials that it was not intentional.