By Sunday 
Sometimes the season doesn’t wait for you to catch your breath. That’s exactly where the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves after head coach JJ Redick shared a worrying update ahead of their final game of the year. What looked like a manageable situation quickly turned into another test of depth, patience, and adaptability for a team with playoff ambitions.
Another Injury, Another Adjustment
The Lakers will be without Rui Hachimura for at least one week due to a calf injury, a setback that came just after he returned from a brief groin issue. Hachimura has been quietly reliable this season, starting most games and providing steady two-way production. Losing that kind of consistency—even temporarily—hits harder than it sounds.
Redick didn’t dive into specifics, but the timeline alone raised eyebrows. Multiple missed games at this stage of the season always carry a hint of concern, especially when calf injuries are involved.
Bad Timing for a Shorthanded Team
The news couldn’t have landed at a worse moment. The Lakers are preparing to host the red-hot Detroit Pistons while already navigating other health issues. With Austin Reaves also sidelined for weeks, L.A.’s margin for error suddenly feels much thinner.
At 20–10, the Lakers are still in a solid position in the Western Conference, but sustaining that momentum without key rotation pieces is the real challenge.
Next-Man-Up Opportunities
Hachimura’s absence opens the door for players like Dalton Knecht, Jake LaRavia, Nick Smith Jr., and Jarred Vanderbilt to grab extended minutes. For some, it’s a chance to prove they belong in high-leverage situations. For Redick, it’s an early-season coaching test—balancing development with the need to keep winning.
Short-Term Pain, Long-Term Questions
While one week doesn’t sound catastrophic, the bigger concern is accumulation. Minor injuries have a way of stacking up, and the Lakers are already feeling that pressure. Redick’s calm delivery couldn’t fully mask the reality: this team needs bodies, health, and rhythm—and right now, it’s short on at least two of those.
What Happens Next?
If the Lakers can tread water over the next stretch, Hachimura’s return could feel like a boost rather than a relief. But if losses pile up, this “at least one week” absence may be remembered as a turning point. Either way, life without Rui Hachimura starts now—and the Lakers don’t have much time to adjust.