The Los Angeles Lakers kept the momentum rolling Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena, notching a 133-121 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. That makes it seven straight victories for L.A., who now sit at 15-4 on the season - a start that’s not just solid, but downright statement-making.
And while the win was a team effort, one player who continues to carve out his identity in this Lakers rotation is Rui Hachimura. The forward didn’t just show up on the stat sheet - he brought a presence that went beyond the numbers.
At one point, rookie guard Jeremiah Fears tried to needle him at the free-throw line, getting under Hachimura’s skin just enough to spark a brief physical exchange. Hachimura responded with a shove, but more importantly, he didn’t let the moment derail his focus.
That poise? It’s not by accident.
Hachimura spent part of the offseason training with sumo wrestlers - a move that raised eyebrows at the time but now looks like a masterstroke in mental and physical conditioning. He played with a grounded confidence throughout the night, finishing with 14 points and two rebounds while going 6-of-14 from the field and 2-of-8 from deep.
Not his most efficient night shooting, but his impact was felt in the way he held his ground, stayed locked in, and played his role with clarity.
On the other side, Fears put together a strong outing of his own - 21 points, three boards, and two assists in 27 minutes. The rookie showed flashes of what makes him such an intriguing young piece for New Orleans, but the night ultimately belonged to the Lakers.
Hachimura, now in his fourth season with the team after arriving in 2023, has quietly become one of the more dependable pieces in Darvin Ham’s rotation. He’s averaging 14.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game this season, and more importantly, he’s embraced his role with a team-first mentality that’s resonating in the locker room.
“I’m not trying to be a superstar or anything,” Hachimura said recently. “I’m just trying to help the team win - whatever they ask for.
I like my role here. I’m not trying to be in a big three, I’m really trying to win the championship with this team.
I like how they’ve been treating me given the roles and everything, very specific. Especially JJ has been really good with that.
So, I’m happy.”
That kind of mindset - grounded, unselfish, and focused on the bigger picture - is exactly what championship teams need from their supporting cast. And make no mistake, Hachimura’s no mere role player. He’s become a reliable two-way contributor who can stretch the floor, defend multiple positions, and bring a physical edge that this Lakers squad leans on.
With the Lakers surging and the chemistry clicking, Hachimura’s growth is one of the more underrated storylines to watch. He may not be chasing stardom, but he’s playing winning basketball - and in L.A., that’s what matters most.