With his 7-0 alone and his two award-winning baskets in “money time” in Dallas, Rui Hachimura was instrumental in the Lakers’ victory against the Mavericks. His 17 points being his best mark since the beginning of December 2025. He was then a starter.
Then, at the end of that month, he injured his calf and missed two weeks of competition, before returning in mid-January, coming off the bench and with limited playing time, which became more and more important as the days went by. But with the future return of Austin Reaves, will JJ Redick revive the Japanese in his major five?
“A lot of people think about statistics and the rest, but I think about victories. This is what allows everyone to be well paid”replies the former Washingtonian. “And when I’m a substitute, I have more balls. I don’t care. The most important thing for me is who plays a lot and who finishes the matches. »
The Lakers coach has not yet made any decision on the composition of his major five in the coming weeks. Which doesn’t seem to worry the strong winger who, apart from the fact that he doesn’t really have a say, believes he has finally found his place in Los Angeles.
“This is my fourth year here and for the first three, I didn’t know what to do. If I didn’t touch the ball for a quarter, then the game was over for me. I couldn’t do anything. Now I’m used to it, he analyzes. “It’s more mental. Before, I thought about my possessions, my shots. Now I wonder what I can do to help: rebound, rebound block, help defend. These little things will help me stay in the game. So when I touch the ball, I’m always in rhythm. »
He concludes by repeating that he “loves” his role with the Lakers. “What I love to do, I do here. I just have to do what’s necessary to help the team win. » Whether as a starter or a substitute.
| Rui Hachimura | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | To | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | WAS | 48 | 30:05 | 46.6 | 28.7 | 82.9 | 1.6 | 4.5 | 6.1 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 13.5 |
| 2020-21 | WAS | 57 | 31:32 | 47.8 | 32.8 | 77.0 | 0.9 | 4.6 | 5.5 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 13.8 |
| 2021-22 | WAS | 42 | 22:27 | 49.1 | 44.7 | 69.7 | 0.6 | 3.2 | 3.8 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 11.3 |
| 2022-23 | LAL | 33 | 22:22 | 48.5 | 29.6 | 72.1 | 1.0 | 3.7 | 4.7 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 9.6 |
| 2022-23 | WAS | 30 | 24:16 | 48.8 | 33.7 | 75.9 | 0.6 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 13.0 |
| 2023-24 | LAL | 68 | 26:51 | 53.7 | 42.2 | 73.9 | 0.9 | 3.5 | 4.3 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 13.6 |
| 2024-25 | LAL | 59 | 31:41 | 50.9 | 41.3 | 77.0 | 1.3 | 3.7 | 5.0 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 13.1 |
| 2025-26 | LAL | 35 | 30:27 | 51.1 | 43.9 | 75.6 | 0.7 | 2.8 | 3.6 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 12.5 |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
