HOUSTON, TX—The Los Angeles Lakers lost their fourth straight game, losing to the Houston Rockets 134-95 on Wednesday, December 7.

Lou Williams scored a team-high 24 points for the Lakers, who have dropped to ninth place in the Western Conference. Julius Randle added a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds; Brandon Ingram had 12 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Lakers coach Luke Walton explained the team’s mindset, as they have lost several players to injury.

“Obviously, we are missing key players and we are going to lose games, but if we’re just sitting around as a team saying we’re waiting for this guy or that, that’s not the mindset you want,” Walton said. “That’s not an acceptable excuse.”

The Lakers were without injured players Tarik Black (right ankle), Nick Young (calf) and D’Angelo Russell (left knee).

James Harden had 25 points, six rebounds and eight assists for the Rockets, who won their fourth consecutive game. Eric Gordon added 26 points off the bench; Clint Capela scored 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

The Rockets are now 15-7 overall, moving them to fourth in the Western Conference. Houston will make a one-game road trip to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, December 9.

Los Angeles is now 10-14 on the season, and will meet the Phoenix Suns in their next game at Staples Center on Friday, December 9.