Rui Hachimura is not worried about his status
With his 7-0 alone and his two game-winning baskets in “money time” in dallas, Rui Hachimura was key in the Lakers’ win against the Mavericks. His 17 points are his best mark since early December 2025, when he was a starter.
Then at the end of that month he injured his calf and missed two weeks of competition, only to return from the bench in mid-January and with limited playing time, which became more important as the days wore on. But with the impending return of Austin Reeves, will JJ Redick revive the Japanese in his top five?
“A lot of people think about stats and stuff, but I think about wins. That’s what allows everybody to get paid well.”, 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 decisions about the composition of his starting five in the coming weeks. Which doesn’t seem to worry the stalwart winger who, aside from not having a say, believes he’s finally found his place in Los Angeles.
“This is my fourth year here, and 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 was thinking about my possession, my shots. Now I wonder what I can do to help: rebound, block rebounds, help on defense. 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.” Either as a starter or a substitute.
| Rui Hachimura | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | The team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | That | Pd | Ft | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | YOU | 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 | YOU | 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 | YOU | 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 | YOU | 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 statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.
2026-01-27 10:21:00
