The week off for the Lakers provided a chance for rest and recuperation. For many, the focus was on LeBron James and his ability to take a week off before jumping into the playoff grind, especially after his injury scare in the penultimate game of the regular season.
However, that also applies to Rui Hachimura. The forward missed extended time late in the season due to patellar tendinopathy before eventually making a return. However, he noted that the only way for the injury to fully heal was through rest.
Thus, having a week off is a big bonus for him heading into the postseason. On Wednesday, he spoke about how his knee felt during the break.
“It’s for sure better, yeah way better than when we talked about it,” Hachimura said. “My knee’s getting better. I can jump now, so yeah, I just got to manage it. And now we don’t have a back-to-back anymore.”
For all the Lakers up and down the roster, having a week off is vital. They haven’t been afforded that in years prior, which has made the final weeks and months of the regular season and playoffs feel like one big long grind that wears the team down.
This year, having a hard break between the two lets the team reset both physically and mentally. Ideally, this lets them come in fresh for the postseason.
Realistically, a week isn’t enough time to cure all ailments. But it does afford the team some aforementioned rest, which can be nothing but a positive, even if it may also come with a little rust initially.
Add in the elimination of back-to-backs and the Lakers are heading into the postseason on the right foot, physically, including Rui Hachimura.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
