In their last 10 games, the Los Angeles Lakers are 4-6. After a 128-106 loss to the Pistons at home on Tuesday night, the team is 20-11. That is currently fifth in the Western Conference.
On Tuesday, the Lakers were without their starting PF Rui Hachimura. Ahead of their matchup vs. Detroit, head coach JJ Redick announced that Hachimura is dealing with a calf injury. He said the plan is for the 27-year-old to miss one week. Los Angeles will have to shuffle the lineup while Rui Hachimura misses time.
Rui Hachimura is out for at least one week for the Los Angeles Lakers
🚨 JJ Redick says he expects Rui Hachimura to miss about one week, per @DStarkand pic.twitter.com/6obO2vGYB2
— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) December 31, 2025
Against the Pistons on Tuesday night, the Lakers were without Rui Hachimura. He’s started 27 of the team’s 31 games in 2025-26. The former first-round pick has missed four games due to injury. Hachimura is averaging 12.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game for Los Angeles. His 32.5 minutes per game are the fourth-most on the team this season. Rui Hachimura is a key piece of JJ Redick’s rotation. Unfortunately, Hachimura will miss at least one week due to a calf injury.
In the four games Hachimura has missed this season, the Lakers have had Jake LaRavia step up. He’s appeared in all 31 games for Los Angeles in 2025-26 and has made 10 starts. LaRavia is playing 25.5 minutes per game off the bench this year. By far the largest role in his four professional seasons. Jake LaRavia has made the most of his opportunity in his first year with the Lakers.
Tough luck for the Lakes. The Lakers are now 1-3 without Rui Hachimura. https://t.co/IClzLmdCy3
— LOUIS8 (@LOUIS8FAN) December 31, 2025
Head coach JJ Redick was optimistic that Rui Hachimura could return sometime next week for Los Angeles. The team is not overly concerned with his calf injury. However, it was enough for the Lakers to give the veteran forward some extra rest. Along with Jake LaRavia, Jarred Vanderbilt could see increased playing time while Rui Hachimura is out.
Vanderbilt played a team-high 27 minutes off the bench in the Lakers’ loss to the Pistons on Tuesday. He is averaging 18.9 points per game in 2025-26. When Rui Hachimura misses time, that opens up minutes for Jarred Vanderbilt. The 26-year-old had eight points and eight rebounds on Tuesday. Together, Jake LaRavia and Jarred Vanderbilt can replace the production of Rui Hachimura for the Lakers.
