Hachimura Backs Bench Role Amid Lakers Adjustments

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura expressed full support for his recent transition to the bench, emphasizing team success over personal statistics as the franchise navigates injuries and lineup adjustments ahead of the trade deadline.

Hachimura, who started the first 27 games of the season, returned from a calf injury on January 13 and has since come off the bench in seven contests. The change, implemented by coach JJ Redick, aims to bolster the Lakers' second unit, which ranks last in the NBA at 26.2 points per game overall but has improved to 30.9 points during Hachimura's reserve stint over the last eight games. In those outings, Hachimura has averaged 12.5 points on 51.1 percent field goal shooting and 43.9 percent from three-point range, providing a scoring spark without dominating the ball in a star-driven offense led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

His impact was evident in recent victories. Against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, Hachimura scored 17 points, including four three-pointers and back-to-back treys in the fourth quarter that helped erase a 15-point deficit in a 116-110 win. Two nights later, he added 23 points in 29 minutes during a 129-118 triumph...