Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura said team chemistry—on and off the court—was the driving force behind the club’s performance during the 2025-26 regular season.
“We all need each other,” Hachimura told reporters after the season finale, emphasizing how an 82-game schedule tests every roster through injuries, trades and shifting lineups.
Role Change Sparked Production
The 28-year-old started the season in the first unit but found a rhythm after head coach Darvin Ham moved Marcus Smart into the starting lineup and sent Hachimura to the bench. The adjustment balanced scoring and allowed the Gonzaga product to settle into a sixth-man role.
Playoff Focus Without Key Starters
Los Angeles opens the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers will be without guard Austin Reaves and mid-season acquisition Luka Dončić. “It’s a different game,” Hachimura said, “but we understand our roles. We know what our goal is, and we’ve fought through the last few games to get here.”
Milestone Season
Hachimura, frequently used as a spot-up shooter, surpassed 5,000 career points during the campaign, underscoring his value as one of the team’s most dependable scoring options.
Earlier in the season, on Dec. 4, 2025, Hachimura sank a buzzer-beater at Scotiabank Arena to defeat the Toronto Raptors, celebrating on the floor with teammates Jake LaRavia and Austin Reaves.
The Lakers will look to extend their chemistry-driven momentum when the postseason begins this weekend.
Source: LakersNation.com
