The Los Angeles Lakers have been without Rui Hachimura since December 28th as he's been sidelined with a calf injury. 

Speaking to reporters, Lakers head coach JJ Redick gave an update on Rui.

"He’s made a lot of progress just in terms of regaining strength and mobility in his calf,” Redick said. “He had a good workout today, and there’s a lot of optimism that he’ll be available Monday. But we’ll see how the next few days go.”

Rui was out for the Lakers against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. They will play the Sacramento Kings on Monday.

In 27 games this year, Rui has started in every contest he's suited up for, playing 32 minutes per game. 

He's averaging 12.7 points, down from 13.1 points last season. His assist and rebound numbers are also down, averaging less than one assist per game, down from 1.4 assists, and 3.8 rebounds, down from five.

Despite his lower averages, he's been more effective in the Lakers' offense. He is shooting 52% from the field and 44% from three, good for an effective field goal percentage of 61%, the highest of his career. 

The addition of Luka Doncic in the middle of last season effectively decreased Hachimura's role in the offense, as Luka needs the ball in his hands more than Anthony Davis. He's proven that he can adjust to the new role by making the most of his opportunities and knocking down his shots when he gets them. 

While Rui's offense has rarely been an issue throughout his career, his defensive numbers leave much to be desired.

His defensive box plus minus this year is -2.0, tied for the lowest of his career with his rookie season. His defensive win share sits at 0.4, the lowest number of his career, and his defensive rating per 100 possessions is 121, also the lowest of his career. 

The Lakers' defense this season hasn't exactly been the strongest group, but replacing Rui with Jake LaRavia in the starting lineup has yielded better results on that end. 

LaRavia has a defensive rating of 113 in the six games he's started. He and Marcus Smart have done a better job of containing the ball, fitting within the team defense, and forcing turnovers. 

The good news for Rui is that alongside Smart, the duo has a defensive rating of 108.9, which is better than the Smart-LaRavia duo at 111.2, albeit in less time on the court together.

The bad news is that the five-man lineup of Smart, Rui, Doncic, LeBron James, and Deandre Ayton, the potential starting lineup when Rui returns while Austin Reaves is sidelined, has an offensive rating of 100 and a defensive rating of 126. Replace Rui with LaRavia, and the offensive rating jumps to 114 while the defensive rating drops to 104.