Darvin Ham, a Lakers coach, highlighted the team's challenging season due to the absence of key players. Rui Hachimura, despite being cleared, did not play against the Rockets. However, there is hope for his return against Phoenix. Hachimura himself expressed optimism about playing and feeling better with the mask after surgery for a nasal fracture sustained during a game against Dallas.
Rui Hachimura if he’ll play tomorrow: “I think so, yeah.” He said the mask is better than he expected. The nasal fracture itself came in the 1st Q vs. Dallas (Nov. 22); he played through it that game, but realized he had a fracture after the game. He had surgery the next day.
Rui Hachimura says he thinks he’s going to play tomorrow vs. Phoenix. He said he wasn’t ready to play Saturday after surgery and being off for a week.
Darvin Ham on Rui Hachimura’s availability vs. Phoenix: “We’ll see. … In all likelihood, I think he’ll be out there.”
Darvin Ham is hopeful to get Rui Hachimura back on the court tomorrow: “In all likelihood, I think he’ll be out there (playing).”
Rui Hachimura practicing with his mask https://t.co/hhrACoF8GL
Charvarius Ward: It's hard for defenses to match up with our offensive weapons. https://t.co/WAR5qLgZe2
Despite being cleared, Rui Hachimura did not play for the Lakers against the Rockets on Saturday .Darvin Ham provided an explanation for that as well as an update on Gabe Vincent. @LakersSBN https://t.co/rdrrwMluNE
Darvin Ham on the stifling defense tonight: “The athleticism and size we have on the wings … we have a plethora of really quick, larger, athletic and skilled wings. That’s what’s been the most challenging part of (this season), not having all of those guys in the lineup.”