Rui

Hachimura

This was the second straight game that Hachimura finished with exactly 23 points and five triples. Unfortunately, it was also a second straight single-digit loss for the Lakers, which brought their season to an end. Hachimura improved his numbers and took on a larger role this season with JJ Redick taking over as the team’s head coach. There will certainly be roster changes for Los Angeles this summer, but if Hachimura is kept around, he’ll be a decent, low-upside option in fantasy next season.

Hachimura and Austin Reaves (17/7/4/1/2 with five three-pointers) combined to shoot 10-of-22 from beyond the arc in Game 4, providing solid shooting alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic. And this was a needed effort for the former, as he totaled 28 points in the first three games of the series. The Game 4 version of Hachimura is who needs to show up for Game 5 on Wednesday, as the Lakers are a loss away from elimination.

James aggravated his strained left groin during the third quarter of Friday’s win over the Rockets. With that victory, the Lakers secured the third seed in the West, so there’s no need for LeBron to play on Sunday. Hachimura will also get some time off as the Lakers look to get everyone healthy for next week’s playoffs. Jordan Goodwin (foot) and Dalton Knecht should play plenty on Sunday, with the former considered probable on the initial injury report.

Hachimura returned to the Lakers’ lineup on Wednesday after sitting out Tuesday’s loss to the Thunder. He was solid during his 38 minutes, shooting 50 percent from the field. The Lakers don’t have another back-to-back this season, but a win over the Rockets on Friday would potentially put them in a position to rest some players for Sunday’s regular season finale. If so, managers in active leagues may not have Hachimura to rely on.

Hachimura missed one game against Oklahoma City but is set to make his return against Dallas. Dorian Finney-Smith will likely move back to the bench with Hachimura healthy again.

Counting Tuesday, Hachimura will have missed two of the Lakers’ last three games. Dorian Finney-Smith moved into the starting lineup on Friday when the Lakers beat the Pelicans, and he would be worth adding in active deep leagues. However, DFS is questionable for Tuesday, so there’s no guarantee he’ll play. Dalton Knecht may have to log rotation minutes despite his defensive struggles.

Reaves and Finney-Smith are two of the five Lakers rotation players considered questionable for Tuesday’s game. With Rui Hachimura (knee) out, the latter will likely start if he can play. Gabe Vincent could be a replacement in the starting lineup if Reaves sits, but he is also questionable for Tuesday.

While it was mentioned last week that Hachimura would be available for future back-to-backs after sitting out a March 27 loss to the Bulls, that is not the case. He will not play against the Pelicans, likely resulting in Dorian Finney-Smith moving into the starting lineup. Finney-Smith hasn’t been an elite fantasy option, but he’s worth streaming in deep leagues when allowed to start.

After missing almost a month of games, it has taken Hachimura some time to get back on track. Thursday’s game was a good step as he had his highest-scoring performance since before the All-Star break. Hachimura has been a solid scoring option for the Lakers this season and has been able to maintain the starting job for most of the year. He doesn’t contribute value in many categories, but the points and efficiency have allowed him to be a decent fantasy option for most of the year.

Following an extended absence, Hachimura appeared in three straight games before sitting out Thursday’s loss to Chicago. That game was the second leg of a back-to-back set, and the Lakers will likely manage Hachimura’s knee injury moving forward. He started and logged 28 minutes in his last game out, and fantasy managers should expect a similar workload against Memphis. Dorian Finney-Smith may see a dip in playing time as a result.