The hilarious Luka Doncic-Rui Hachimura moment is going viral

The Los Angeles Lakers continue to pile up wins to start the 2025-26 season. Their biggest headline of the week, however, didn’t come from boxing. It came from a workout video that lit up social media. Easy exchange between Luka Dončić and Rui Hachimura went viral on Tuesday. He showed not only humor, but also the elite chemistry that drives the Lakers‘ 10–4 start.

The moment began when Doncic, off camera, repeatedly shouted “RUI! RUI!” in mock desperation during the post-practice media session.

Hachimura turned in confusion, before delivering a perfectly timed shot: “Luka is crazy. Why is he calling me? What does he want? … He never went to school, you know that, right?”

The joke was about Doncic’s early decision to forego traditional schooling in Slovenia and Spain when he joined Real Madrid’s youth basketball academy.

The clip, first reported by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, went viral on social media within minutes. Fans immediately flocked to the comments, praising the duo’s sense of humor and the lively environment of the Lakers. In a league where chemistry often determines ceilings, these behind-the-scenes looks have become a recurring theme in Los Angeles this season.

(Off camera, Luka Dončić: “RUI! RUI!”)
Rui Hachimura: “Luka is crazy. Why is he calling me by my name? What does he want? … He never went to school, you know that, right?” pic.twitter.com/iv6F9dM0Cs

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 18, 2025

The viral exchange is one of many personality-filled moments to emerge from the Lakers’ locker room in recent weeks. Just a few days earlier, Doncic joked that he spoke English better than Hachimura or Austin Reeves. It’s a claim that has sparked its own wave of playful backlash.

A continuous stream of clips depicts a team completely at the mercy of each other. They look comfortable enough to tease, laugh and stay relaxed for long stretches of the season.

For a team chasing a deep playoff run, that camaraderie is important. Doncic and Hachimura pointed out that this season’s group feels unusually connected. The results on the field confirmed it.

Of course, the offensive firepower of the Lakers and power drive star titles. However, unscripted, funny and authentic moments like these reflect the cultural shift fueling their strong start.

As the Lakers prepare for their next stretch of games, it’s clear that their relationship off the court is becoming as much of a story as their performance on it.