The Los Angeles Lakers finally got Rui Hachimura back in uniform after nearly a month of absence, but his return came with a dose of honesty that will make fans uneasy. Following the team’s blowout loss to the Chicago Bulls, Hachimura revealed that his left knee is still far from 100% and that rest—the only real solution—is something he and the team simply don’t have time for.
"I was like 70-80%. My knee is gonna be like that for a while I think. I can't really get back to 100% right away. I gotta rest for like a long time to get back to normal. But I don't think we have that, so we just gotta maintain and manage it."
"It's just everything. This is one of those where whatever you do, jump, stop, slide, everything is gonna feel it. My left leg has got to be stronger, still don't have the explosion."
"That's gonna be the key for me, just getting stronger. All the movements, just everything going on, I can feel it. So I have to kind of manage it and play through it."
The injury in question, left patellar tendinopathy, is notoriously stubborn and requires significant rest and rehab to fully heal. Unfortunately, with just 12 regular season games left and a tense playoff race unfolding, the Lakers don’t have the luxury of patience.
Hachimura played only 18 minutes off the bench in his return and looked understandably limited, finishing with five points and two rebounds while shooting just 2-of-6 from the field.
For a Lakers team clinging to fourth in the Western Conference at 43-27, every player matters. And Rui has quietly been one of the team’s most reliable role players this season.
He’s averaging 13.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting a stellar 50.4% from the field and 40.4% from three. Since Luka Doncic joined the team, Hachimura has thrived in a more spaced-out offense, getting cleaner looks and playing with renewed confidence.
Yet now, even as he returns to action, the question becomes whether he can stay on the court without putting himself at greater risk. Rui admitted that during his three-week absence, he stepped away from the team to focus exclusively on treatment. While he’s been diligent, the nature of the injury makes progress slow and unpredictable.
The Lakers are in a tough spot. Hachimura is needed, but he’s not healthy. They need his size, his shooting, and his defense—especially as they try to avoid the play-in tournament and secure home-court advantage in the first round. Yet playing him too much too soon could lead to a more serious setback.
Head coach JJ Redick now faces a critical minutes-management puzzle. The margin for error in the West is razor thin, and while Rui is trying to gut it out, his words echo the risk that’s looming beneath the surface
If the Lakers can’t, their playoff push may hinge on more than just talent—it may come down to survival.
