Lakers rest Rui Hachimura ahead of second night of back-to-back
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Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura did not play Monday despite being cleared, as head coach J.J. Redick limited the forward’s workload during the team’s back-to-back set.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Redick was told Hachimura could appear in only one of the two games, so the coach elected to keep him out Monday and reserve him for Tuesday’s meeting with the Atlanta Hawks.
Without Hachimura, the Lakers lost to the Sacramento Kings, allowing 17 three-pointers on 26 attempts. Luka Doncic still poured in 42 points but required treatment for left groin soreness throughout the night. “I was really uncertain,” Doncic said postgame. “Before the game, warming up, I felt something, so we were just trying to get warm and get going.”
Hachimura is expected to return Tuesday, but both Doncic and LeBron James are listed as questionable. James continues to manage left foot joint arthritis and right sciatica, NBA insider Marc Stein reported.
The Lakers may also be without Jaxson Hayes and Austin Reaves, who are dealing with unspecified injuries. “Obviously we’re dealing with a lot of injuries right now,” James said. “Not only guys that are not in uniform, but even guys that are in uniform. We’re just trying to weather the storm.”
Source: Hoops Wire
