Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Lakers Coach Announces Bad News on Tuesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Dec 30, 2025 9:33 PM ET

JJ Redick and the Los Angeles Lakers are back in action on Tuesday for their final game of the calendar year. They get to host the 24-8 Detroit Pistons at Crypto.com Arena as the Lakers battle the best team in the Eastern Conference at the moment.

L.A., however, will be without the services of starting power forward Rui Hachimura, who has been ruled out for the game due to a calf injury. Before Tuesday’s tip-off, Redick spoke to reporters to provide an update on Hachimura’s status moving forward. As it turns out, the Lakers will be without the 6-foot-8 forward for the next few games.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) warming up.© Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Hachimura has been a steady force for the Lakers this season. He’s started 27 games this term, averaging 12.7 points on 52.1% shooting, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 triples in 32.5 minutes per contest.

Hachimura recently returned from a two-game absence because of a groin injury. He played in L.A.’s last two contests, but he is now in line to miss time after his new calf issue.

Redick announced on Tuesday that the Lakers expect Hachimura to be out for at least one week as he rehabs the calf injury, per NBA reporter Mark Medina.

Redick did not provide the full details of Hachimura’s calf issue, but the fact that he has been ruled out for multiple games is concerning. Apart from Tuesday’s contest against Detroit, Hachimura will now be forced to sit out at least two more games, which are both against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday and Sunday.

With Hachimura out, players such as Dalton Knecht, Jake LaRavia, Nick Smith Jr. and Jarred Vanderbilt will all be candidates for more minutes under Redick’s shorthanded rotation. Austin Reaves is also expected to be out for multiple weeks with an aggravated calf injury.

The Lakers enter Tuesday’s game with a 20-10 record. As of writing, they are fifth in the Western Conference and are tied with the Houston Rockets with a similar record.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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