The Los Angeles Lakers (35-21) are hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves (32-27) on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena in an important Western Conference matchup for both teams. Entering this contest just two games back of the second seed Memphis Grizzlies, the Lakers have been streaking with new superstar Luka Doncic.
Winners of three-straight games entering Thursday, the Lakers have begun finding a rhythm with their new-look roster. While Doncic and LeBron James have led this charge, LA has been getting significant contributions from its supporting players.
This includes 6-foot-8 wing Rui Hachimura who has averaged 14.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists during LA’s three-game winning streak.
Hachimura started his 50th game on Thursday for Lakers head coach JJ Redick, but his night was cut short when the team announced the unfortunate news that he would not return due to a left knee strain.
“The Lakers say Rui Hachimura (left knee strain) will not return to tonight’s game vs. Minnesota,” Jovan Buha of The Athletic wrote on X.
Hachimura has been a staple in LA’s starting lineup this season. Acquired from the Washington Wizards in a 2023 trade, the Japanese forward has appeared in 151 games (98 starts) for the Lakers, owning averages of 12.7 points and 4.7 rebounds entering Thursday.
Knocking down 40.9% of his three-point attempts this season, Hachimura has been a great fit in the starting lineup alongside James and Doncic, as both players generate a lot of open threes for their teammates. At the time of their initial report, the Lakers did not share any information beyond the left knee strain designation for Hachimura.
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