Hachimura Expected To Miss Weekend Games; Lakers Assess LeBron’s Minutes And Search For Defensive Identity
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Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura will remain out with right calf soreness and is not expected to play in Friday’s and Sunday’s home meetings with the Memphis Grizzlies, head coach JJ Redick said Tuesday. Hachimura had already missed last week’s two contests because of right groin soreness before sitting out the club’s 117-104 loss to the Detroit Pistons.
“He’ll miss a couple games, then we’ll ramp him up,” Redick told reporters. “Hopefully he’s back sometime next week.” The Lakers open a back-to-back trip in New Orleans next Tuesday and visit San Antonio the following night, a window the team hopes will mark Hachimura’s return.
LeBron’s 41st Birthday Shows Signs Of Wear
LeBron James, who turned 41 on Tuesday, finished 6-for-17 from the field for 17 points with five turnovers against Detroit and was outscored by 16 during his 32 minutes. An NBA assistant coach speaking to RG.org described the challenge of keeping James engaged offensively when he shares the floor with both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. “When it’s all three of them, it doesn’t seem like there is enough of a pie to split up,” the coach said.
Defensive Slide Continues
Despite a 20-11 record, the Lakers have surrendered more points than they’ve scored this season and posted the league’s 29th-ranked defense in December. “We haven’t had a full team all year,” James said, citing ongoing absences for Reaves, Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and the recent return of Jaxson Hayes. “Still no excuse. We’ve got to execute.”
Small Trade Exceptions Expire
Two trade exceptions created in last season’s deal that sent Maxwell Lewis and D’Angelo Russell to Brooklyn expired this week. The larger exception was valued at $1.9 million.
Source: Hoops Rumors
