Rui Hachimura has been out of the Los Angeles Lakers’ lineup for six games after suffering an injury against the Sacramento Kings on Dec. 28. Since then, the Lakers have struggled to win games consistently, given that Hachimura is a core player on the roster.
With the 2025-26 season rapidly approaching its second half, Lakers fans are growing concerned that the team could lose its potential playoff spot. The Lakers are clearly in need of additional help if they hope to contend this season. JJ Redick recently delivered positive news regarding Hachimura’s injury.
JJ Redick Delivers Update on Rui Hachimura
On Dec. 28, when the Lakers faced the Kings, Hachimura suffered a right calf strain after 26 minutes of action. He still managed to finish the game with 12 points, four rebounds, and two steals.
The injury was a significant blow to the Lakers, especially considering that Austin Reaves had already been sidelined with a Grade 2 left gastrocnemius calf strain sustained during the Christmas Day game against the Houston Rockets.
With both Hachimura and Reaves out of the lineup, LeBron James and Luka Dončić were left to carry the load. To make matters worse, even James has not been consistently available due to injury management.
After six games had passed, NBA insider Dave McMenamin reported that Redick had encouraging news regarding Hachimura. According to McMenamin, Redick said Hachimura is likely to return Monday against the Kings.
“Rui Hachimura was a full participant in Sunday’s practice and is ‘trending towards being able to play’ Monday in Sacramento, according to Lakers coach JJ Redick,” McMenamin reported on X. “Hachimura has missed the last six games with a right calf issue.”
Rui Hachimura was a full participant in Sunday’s practice and is “trending towards being able to play” Monday in Sacramento, according to Lakers coach JJ Redick. Hachimura has missed the last six games with a right calf issue.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 11, 2026
Hachimura is fifth on the Lakers in scoring with 12.7 points per game. He has started all 27 games he has played, averaging 52.1% shooting, 44.5% from 3-point range, and 3.8 rebounds.
The Lakers are currently on a two-game losing streak and have slipped from third place to fifth in the Western Conference. Given that they are just one game behind the third-place Denver Nuggets, climbing back up the standings should not be difficult.
At this point, the Lakers simply need their star players to return and remain consistently available.
