The Los Angeles Lakers’ home game against the Chicago Bulls resulted in a disheartening defeat, a performance the team is eager to put behind them. However, the game did mark the return of key players, LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, albeit with some initial rust.
Following the game, Hachimura revealed that he is still recovering from the injury that sidelined him for several weeks. With the postseason looming, he acknowledged the necessity of playing through the discomfort.
Los Angeles Lakers’ Rui Hachimura Playing Through Significant Injury With Playoffs Approaching
“My knee is going to be like that for a while, I think,” he stated. “I can’t really get back to 100% right away. I got to rest for a long time to get back to normal. But I don’t think we have that, so we just got to maintain and manage it.”
While Hachimura is determined to play, provided he and the medical staff deem it safe, the Lakers may exercise caution in managing his playing time. With the regular season drawing to a close, the team understands that health will be a critical factor in their playoff success.
The Lakers remain optimistic about their postseason prospects, provided they enter the playoffs with a healthy roster. Their goal is to secure a top-four seed in the Western Conference, guaranteeing home-court advantage in the first round. Luka Dončić, while acknowledging the disappointing loss to the Bulls, expressed confidence in the team’s position.
“I think we’re in a great spot,” Dončić said. “Obviously, today wasn’t a good game for us, but I think we’re in a great spot. We’ve got to play hard every game to try not to get in the play-in and try to get the highest seed we can.”
The Lakers will now shift their focus to their upcoming road trip, beginning with a game against the Orlando Magic.