Rui Hachimura’s Injury Update
Rui Hachimura, the forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, has been sidelined for the last six games due to soreness in his right calf. As the team awaits his return, Coach JJ Redick has noted that Hachimura is showing positive signs and may be ready to play soon, potentially as early as their matchup against the Sacramento Kings on Monday or the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena.
Practice and Recovery
In preparation for his comeback, Hachimura participated in a practice on Sunday, where he reportedly engaged fully in drills and took extra shooting sessions afterward.
“He was able to do everything in practice,”
Redick confirmed. The Japanese player has been working diligently on his rehabilitation for two weeks and is eager to get back onto the court.
Hachimura’s Optimism
When asked about the possibility of playing against the Kings, Hachimura expressed optimism, stating,
“I think so. I felt good after practice, but I need to consult with the trainers and see how I feel tomorrow.”
Upon his return, the Lakers will likely impose a minutes restriction on him, and he is expected to come off the bench, as mentioned by Redick.
Season Performance and Future Focus
Hachimura has already demonstrated his value this season, averaging 12.7 points and 4.3 rebounds over 27 games, showcasing an impressive shooting percentage of 52.1% from the field and 44.5% from beyond the arc. He is determined to keep his calf injury from becoming a more serious issue, especially as he approaches free agency at the conclusion of the season. However, he emphasizes that his primary focus is aiding the Lakers in securing victories.
“At the end of the day, I’m trying to help this team win. That’s the whole purpose of being here,”
Hachimura articulated.
“I’ve been here four seasons now and I think I’m one of the guys that’s been here the longest, so I’m happy to be playing with this team. Of course, there’s the contract situation coming up, but I’m focusing on the present. We’ve got the second half of the season ahead, and I need to be ready for the playoffs.”
NBA News: Dennis Schroder Suspension
In other news, the NBA recently suspended Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder for three games following a confrontation with Luka Doncic. This incident occurred shortly after a game on December 28, during which Schroder allegedly approached Doncic in a hallway to initiate a physical altercation. The two players had exchanged verbal jabs during the game, with Doncic reportedly teasing Schroder about not signing a significant contract with the Lakers back in 2021.
After the game, it was reported that Schroder had been waiting in the hallway for Doncic, attempting to catch him off guard. Redick commented on the matter, saying,
“It’s a league issue. I don’t have any commentary on it.”
Schroder, meanwhile, shared a cryptic social media post that read,
“Attempting,”
accompanied by various emojis.
Conclusion
As the Lakers look to solidify their performance in the coming weeks, Hachimura’s potential return brings renewed optimism to the team.
