Hachimura emphasizes the crucial timing of the All-Star break.
The Los Angeles Lakers closed out the first half of the season in strong fashion on Thursday night, cruising past the Dallas Mavericks 124-104 at Crypto.com Arena.
It was a feel-good win that sent the team into the All-Star break on a high note, and forward Rui Hachimura said afterward that this time off comes at the right time.
"We need this break, you know, I think it's a perfect kind of timing for us to have a break to each other, you know, so we get away from each other and it kind of clears up our mind and we can push the the second half of the season," Hachimura said following the win.
Same Record, Different Path
The win moved the Lakers to 33-21 on the year, which puts them in fifth place in the Western Conference heading into the break.
Interestingly enough, that is the exact same record Los Angeles had through 54 games during the 2024-25 season, when they went on to finish 50-32.
The big difference this time around is how they got here.
Last season, the core of the roster stayed mostly healthy through the first half, but this year has been a different story, with Luka Dončić, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves all missing chunks of time due to various injuries.
Doncic, who is averaging 32.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.6 assists in 42 games this season, has been sidelined since February 5 with a left hamstring strain and missed the final four games before the break.
Reaves missed 16 games earlier in the year with a left calf strain, and James has only appeared in 35 of the team's 54 games while dealing with load management and minor injuries throughout the season.
The fact that the Lakers have managed to stay on the same pace as last year despite all of that says a lot about the depth of the roster and the contributions from guys like Hachimura.
Hachimura's Steady First Half
Hachimura has been one of the more consistent players on the Lakers roster this season, stepping up when starters have been unavailable and providing steady offense off the bench.
Through 36 games, the Japanese forward is averaging 12.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.9 assists while shooting 50.0 percent from the field and a career-best 44.7 percent from three-point range.
His efficiency has been a welcome sight for a team that has dealt with so many moving parts.
Against the Mavericks on Thursday, Hachimura was one of the best players on the floor and finished with 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.
It was one of his strongest outings of the season and came at a time when the Lakers needed it most with Doncic out and Reaves coming off the bench after returning from his own injury.
Looking Ahead to the Second Half
The Lakers finished last season strong after the break and will be looking to do the same this time around, especially with the expectation that Doncic will return once the break is over.
Head coach JJ Redick noted that getting his three stars healthy and on the court together will be key, as they have only played in 10 games as a trio this season.
The break gives everyone a chance to step away, recharge, and come back with fresh legs and a clear mind for the stretch run.
If the Lakers can get healthy and play up to their potential, there is no reason they can't build on the 33-21 mark and push for a top seed in the West.
Los Angeles returns to action on Friday, February 20 when they host the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena.