Hachimura finished Friday's 131-125 victory over Toronto with nine points (3-12 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 1-1 FT), five rebounds and one assist over 33 minutes.
This was Hachimura's second straight game scoring in single digits. While it is frustrating, the positive is that his playing time has remained relatively consistent no matter his statistical output. He has exceeded 30 minutes in all but one game thus far, averaging 14.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.7 three-pointers. Despite his recent struggles, Hachimura should continue to serve as a key piece for the Lakers, making him a viable target.
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Lakers' Rui Hachimura: Flirts with double-double in win
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Hachimura ended Saturday's 131-127 victory over Sacramento with 18 points (5-13 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 6-6 FT), nine rebounds and three assists across 37 minutes.
Hachimura was a great late-round option for fantasy managers, and he is paying huge dividends in LA's starting lineup. Although it's early in the season, he's blowing apart averages in previous seasons, sporting dramatic increases in points and rebounds. Even though he's far from the first option on a team with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Hachimura has been afforded at least 12 shots in all three of the team's games to open the season.
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Lakers' Rui Hachimura: Solid with 18 points in debut
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Hachimura ended Tuesday's 110-103 win over the Timberwolves with 18 points (7-14 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals in 35 minutes.
Hachimura picked up where he left off in the preseason and delivered another impressive line in the victory. Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) will return to action soon, but it's unlikely coach JJ Redick will adjust Hachimura's usage, especially at his current pace.
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Lakers' Rui Hachimura: Ready for opening night
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Hachimura (calf) said Sunday that he'll be ready to play in Tuesday's season opener against Minnesota, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.
Hachimura sat out during both of the Lakers' back-to-back games to end the preseason while nursing a calf tightness, but he's not expected to face any restrictions to begin the regular season. The 26-year-old is coming off arguably the most efficient season of his five-year career, as he averaged 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.4 three-pointers and 1.2 assists across 26.9 minutes per contest while shooting 53.7 percent from the field in 68 appearances.
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Lakers' Rui Hachimura: Not playing Friday
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Hachimura (calf) will not play in Friday's exhibition matchup with the Warriors for rest purposes, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
Head coach JJ Redick indicated that Hachimura would be rested along with the other Lakers starters. He missed Los Angeles' previous preseason game due to calf tightness. It looks like the team is erring on the side of caution in order to ensure his health once the regular season commences.
Hachimura is dealing with calf tightness and won't play in Thursday's preseason game against the Suns, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
The Lakers will be cautious and will sit out both LeBron James (rest) and Hachimura, meaning Cam Reddish and Max Christie will start as replacements. It remains to be seen if Hachimura will be able to feature in the preseason finale against the Warriors on Friday, but those chances seem slim at the moment.
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Lakers' Rui Hachimura: Flirts with double-double in loss
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Hachimura recorded 15 points (5-14 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds, an assist, a steal and a blocked shot across 28 minutes during Tuesday's 111-97 preseason loss to the Warriors.
The Lakers' projected first unit received quality minutes during Tuesday's loss, and Hachimura is firming his hold on the top spot with Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) and Christian Wood (knee) sidelined. Although Vanderbilt should return soon and compete for minutes, Wood's knee surgery will result in a lengthy absence.
Hachimura totaled 14 points (6-12 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 0-1 FT), five rebounds, two steals and one assist across 24 minutes in Thursday's 107-102 win over the Bucks.
Hachimura started once again in the frontcourt with Anthony Davis, a trend that could continue into the regular season. Although Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood are still on the roster, Hachimura seems to have the definitive edge over his teammates and the confidence of coach JJ Redick.
Hachimura totaled 13 points (6-8 FG, 1-1 3Pt), eight rebounds, one assist and one steal across 222 minutes during Sunday's 118-114 preseason loss to Phoenix.
Hachimura was one of five Lakers players Sunday to score in double digits, and he joined D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves as the only starters to play 20-plus minutes. Entering his sixth year in the league and his second full season with the Lakers, Hachimura will look to expand his role in the frontcourt next to Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
Lakers' Rui Hachimura: Healthy to start training camp
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General manager Rob Pelinka said Wednesday that Hachimura is medically cleared for the start of training camp, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
This doesn't come as a surprise, as Hachimura was healthy at the end of last season and starred for Japan during the Paris Olympics. However, he did deal with multiple injuries to begin the 2023-24 campaign, missing 14 of the first 39 games. When healthy, Hachimura is a dynamic scorer who can fill up the box score quickly, and he's expected to open the 2024-25 campaign as a starter in the Lakers' frontcourt next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, per Evan Sidery of Forbes.com.
