The first-round series between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets was on the verge of being forgettable. Four games in, that’s no longer the case, and not just because of the scoreboard.
Game 4 delivered a 115-96 Rockets win that kept the series alive and avoided a sweep. But the moment everyone is talking about didn’t come from a highlight play, it came from the sideline, where Kevin Durant may have created the defining meme of the series.
Midway through the third quarter, Deandre Ayton was ejected after being assessed a Flagrant 2 foul for elbowing Alperen Sengun in the head. As Ayton headed toward the locker room, the broadcast cameras caught Durant out of uniform and sidelined waving goodbye in his direction.
The gesture immediately caught fire online
Lakers fans, already frustrated by their team’s performance, didn’t take it lightly. Social media lit up with criticism aimed at Durant, with many questioning why a player who hasn’t been on the court was so quick to insert himself into the moment.
Kevin Durant mocks Deandre Ayton after ejection in Game 4
The fact that KD has missed three of the four games in the series due to a bone bruise in his left ankle only added fuel to the reaction. From the outside, it looked like a taunt. However, some fans think that it crossed a very fine line.
But context matters. Durant and Ayton were once teammates, and the wave had the feel of familiar trash talk rather than outright disrespect. It also came at a moment when the Rockets were firmly in control, signaling a level of confidence from a veteran who has seen just about everything in the postseason.
The confidence is notable given the situation
Houston entered Game 4 down 0-3 in the series, a deficit no team in NBA history has ever overcome. Even so, Durant‘s reaction suggested he believes the Rockets still have a chance to make this competitive. That kind of belief can carry weight for a team built around younger talent
Durant‘s absence has been a storyline of its own. Despite playing at an elite level during the regular season at age 37 and missing only a handful of games, he has been sidelined for most of this series. There’s no credible indication that he’s avoiding action, but moments like this draw attention when a star isn’t contributing on the floor.
The bigger picture for Houston is positive. The Game 4 win shifts the tone of the series and gives the Rockets a reason to believe, even if history is against them. Game 5 now heads to Los Angeles on April 29, where the Lakers will try to close things out on their home court.
