Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, who has missed five games because of a calf strain, is set to return to the Lakers’ lineup possibly as soon as Monday when the team travels to play the Sacramento Kings.
“I’m fine,” Hachimura said after Sunday’s practice. “I think it’s been two weeks almost, so yeah, my calf is healed and we practiced. They were gone for a little bit, so I was practicing with the G League and trying to be healthy, get better.”
Coach JJ Redick said Hachimura will be on a minutes restriction coming off the bench when he does play. Although his availability won’t be determined until Monday, Redick said he was “trending” toward playing when the Lakers (23-13) face the Kings (8-30).
“His minutes are going to be determined, if he is available whether it’s tomorrow or Tuesday (when they return home against the Atlanta Hawks. “He’ll be available this week and we’ll figure it out.”
His presence, whether in the starting lineup or in the second unit, will help shore up the Lakers’ shooting that dipped during the five games he missed. Hachimura is averaging 12.7 points on 55.1% shooting form the field and 44.5% from 3-point range and creating 0.6 steals.
“Shooting, lots of shooting,” Redick said about what the Lakers missed with their starting power forward out. “He’s our best catch-and-shoot guy; he’s one of the best guys in the league. We were talking this morning, and this is the balance that we’ve been battling all year.
“We can play better defenders and our offense isn’t as good. We can play better offensive players and our defense isn’t as good. So, we’re continuing to find that balance.”
Hachimura said he has battled soreness in his calves for two years, a concern among NBA players with so many experiencing Achilles’ injuries.
“It’s a different side, but the calf is really important,” he said. “It’s fatigue and all kinds of recovery stuff that you have to do to be really on it. It happens. I think with this I really have to be careful with the workouts, rehab and everything. I have to take it more seriously.”
Hachimura participated fully in Sunday’s practice and is looking forward to playing his first game of the new year.
“I think I felt good after (practice), but I got to check with the trainers and everybody and then we’ll see for tomorrow,” he said.
Hachimura’s return sends Jake LaRavia back to the bench. In his starting role during Hachimura’s five-game absence, LaRavia has averaged 16.2 points on 56.6% shooting from the field to go along with 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists.
SCHRODER SUSPENDED AFTER INTERACTION WITH DONCIC
Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder was suspended three games without pay for an off-court incident reportedly with Lakers star Luka Doncic after the team’s game on Dec. 28, trying to strike the Slovenian guard in the hallway at Crypto.com Arena.
The league did not identify the other player, but according to ESPN, the player was Doncic. The two had been exchanging words with each other all game and at one point, Doncic teased Schroder for not signing an $84 million contract with the Lakers in 2021.
The league said the confrontation occurred about 40 minutes after the Lakers’ 125-101 victory when Schroder sought out Doncic. Schroder will miss Monday’s game against the Lakers, the second of his suspension.
Redick declined comment Sunday, saying it’s a league matter and that “they made their decision. And it’s up to them.”