Rui Hachimura carved out a surprising slice of Lakers history on Monday night - and it’s one that puts him ahead of two of the biggest legends to ever wear the purple and gold.
Yes, you read that right. Hachimura now holds more games with at least 20 points and a true shooting percentage north of 95% than both Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. That’s not a stat you'd expect to see him leading, but it speaks volumes about his efficiency when he gets rolling.
Let’s break that down for a second. True shooting percentage is a more complete look at scoring efficiency - it factors in two-pointers, three-pointers, and free throws, giving us a clearer picture of how well a player is converting scoring opportunities.
And Hachimura? He’s been lights out in that department when he hits the 20-point threshold.
Against the Bulls on Monday, he put together another clinic in efficient scoring. Hachimura dropped 23 points on 9-of-11 shooting from the field, including a scorching 4-of-5 from deep.
He added a 1-of-2 trip from the free-throw line, which brought his true shooting percentage to a blistering 96.8%. That’s not just efficient - that’s surgical.
He didn’t stuff the stat sheet otherwise - two rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block in 29 minutes - but that kind of scoring impact on so few shots is exactly the kind of performance that can swing a game. Especially on a team like the Lakers, where the spotlight usually shines on LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Hachimura’s ability to quietly dominate a game through elite efficiency is a luxury.
And while he might not be the first name fans think of when they talk about Lakers history, Hachimura’s name now sits in rare company. Surpassing Magic and Kareem in any statistical category - even a niche one - is no small feat. It’s a testament to his growth, his role within this Lakers offense, and his ability to make the most of his opportunities.
When Hachimura plays like this, it adds another layer to the Lakers’ offensive attack. He doesn't need volume to be effective - just a few clean looks, and he's making defenses pay. And if he can keep this kind of efficiency going, it’ll be tough for any team to match the Lakers shot-for-shot.
Quietly, Rui Hachimura is making his mark.