Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura has continued to be a reliable role player this season. The 27-year-old is averaging 13 points on 50.7 percent shooting with 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists across 31.6 minutes this season.
However, Hachimura has missed 19 games due to injury, which is a common theme for him. The Gonzaga alum has never played more than 68 games in one campaign, which he did last season for the Lakers.
Los Angeles has had injury woes across the board this season, as LeBron James recently missed seven straight games with a groin strain. While the 21-time All-Star is now back, Hachimura (knee) is another story.
The 6-foot-8-inch, 230-pounder is out against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night, via ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
"JJ Redick said that the team hopes to have Rui Hachimura available for both legs of the two remaining back-to-backs on the schedule after CHI," he reported. "Redick said keeping Hachimura out tonight was decided by his pain level being higher coming off IND than the baseline they've established."
JJ Redick said that the team hopes to have Rui Hachimura available for both legs of the two remaining back-to-backs on the schedule after CHI. Redick said keeping Hachimura out tonight was decided by his pain level being higher coming off IND than the baseline they've established
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 27, 2025
The Lakers will start Dorian Finney-Smith in Hachimura's stead, via McMenamin. Finney-Smith is averaging 8.5 points on 44.8 percent shooting with four rebounds and 1.3 assists, and Los Angeles acquired him midseason in the D'Angelo Russell trade with the Brooklyn Nets.
The Lakers (44-28) are tied with the Memphis Grizzlies at fourth place in the Western Conference heading into Thursday night's game. They're also one game behind the Denver Nuggets (46-28).
Los Angeles will play the Grizzlies on the road Saturday night before hosting the Houston Rockets on Monday.
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This story was originally published March 27, 2025 at 8:19 PM.