Lakers’ Rui Hachimura Draws Praise From Luka Doncic, Marcus Smart for Two-Way Contributions
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Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura is earning plaudits from opponents and teammates alike for his balanced play on both ends of the floor during the 2025-26 NBA season.
After Los Angeles’ recent string of victories without the injured LeBron James, Luka Doncic highlighted Hachimura’s impact while speaking to Spectrum SportsNet. “It helps us win games, a lot,” Doncic said. “Maybe the Atlanta game, he was very underrated. Nobody talks about him but he deserves a lot of credit in our wins. He’s been amazing for us and the way he plays every game, it just helps us a lot.”
Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart echoed that sentiment, commending the 6-foot-8 forward’s energy on defense as well as offense. “I’m proud of the Samurai,” Smart said. “Rui’s been doing such a good job on the offensive end, to see him pick it up on the defensive end has been a breath of fresh air for everybody. We knew he could do it and he knew he could do it.”
Hachimura, playing on an expiring contract, has filled multiple roles in James’ absence—serving as a dependable scorer, improving his three-point accuracy and anchoring defensive rotations. His size and versatility have allowed head coach Darvin Ham to experiment with different lineups while maintaining stability at both forward spots.
Analyst JJ Redick recently underscored Hachimura’s importance in a win over the San Antonio Spurs, crediting him with the two decisive moments of the night: a key fourth-quarter three-pointer and the drawn charge that resulted in Victor Wembanyama’s sixth foul.
Whether Hachimura retains a starting position once James returns remains to be seen, but his recent performances have strengthened his case for a long-term future in Los Angeles.
Source: LakersNation.com
