Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura did not see action in the team’s 124-112 road loss against the Sacramento Kings on Monday night, and head coach JJ Redick explained the reason behind the bewildering coaching decision.
“He was only available for one game,” Redick told reporters via Spectrum SportsNet. “And we didn’t know that until this morning. He’ll be on a severe minutes restriction, so it made more sense to play him tomorrow.”
Redick was referring to the Los Angeles Lakers’ back-to-back set, where they have a home game against the Atlanta Hawks tomorrow after visiting the Sacramento Kings. They are essentially easing Hachimura back into action after he missed seven games due to a right calf strain.
The Los Angeles Lakers leaned heavily on Luka Doncic against the Sacramento Kings, and the Slovenian star had 42 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and four steals on 16-for-25 shooting from the field. With last night’s loss, the team fell to 23-14 and is on its second three-game losing streak this season.
Los Angeles Lakers News: JJ Redick laments the team’s poor shooting night vs. Sacramento Kings
The Los Angeles Lakers could’ve used Rui Hachimura’s three-point shooting against the Sacramento Kings on Monday, as the Japanese international is shooting 44.5 percent from deep this season. Yesterday, the team went 8-for-36 from beyond the arc (22.2 percent). In contrast, the hosts went 17-for-26 (65.4 percent).
“Literally, we can’t make a shot. First of all, they’re right there with us as one of the worst shooting teams in the league. They’re tied with Houston for the highest anyone has shot all season,” Redick said.
“We were 28th before tonight in three-point percentage; we’ll be 29th or 30th after tonight,” he continued. “This has been the theme, but we’ve just got to keep on shooting, I guess.”
