Rui Hachimura to make return from ankle sprain to Lakers vs. Nuggets

After missing the Lakers’ last four games due to injury, Rui Hachimura is set to make his return against the Nuggets on Saturday.

The Lakers will finally welcome back Rui Hachimura from injury on Saturday. The forward missed the last four games with an ankle sprain but was not on the team’s injury report ahead of Saturday’s game against the Nuggets.

Rui last played on Nov. 13 against the Grizzlies.

In his absence, Dalton Knecht has stepped into the starting lineup and flourished. The Lakers, though, have felt Rui’s absence at times, particularly against the Magic when the team was crushed on the boards and struggled with Orlando’s physicality.

Despite Knecht’s scoring explosion of late, Hachimura will likely retain his spot in the starting lineup. Before Thursday’s game against the Magic, head coach JJ Redick was asked if there was consideration for Knecht to remain in the starting lineup when Rui returned.

While he said no decision had been made, his “expectation” was that Rui would eep his spot.

“I would say right now like there’s no definitive decision,” Redick said. “My expectation is that Rui would stay in the starting lineup. He’s been awesome for us and I think for the group…whatever designation Dalton has, whether he’s coming off the bench or as a starter, I don’t think his role changes at all. I think for him mentally, there’s no effect to that. Like he’s just gonna be the same guy.

“As a coaching staff, we have to be just cognizant about getting him longer stretches on the court.”

While it might feel like a controversial decision to take Kncht out of the lineup after how well he played, his scoring off the bench translates well. And it wasn’t like the Lakers weren’t having success with Hachimura in the lineup, either.

Regardless of what the lineup looks like, having Rui back in the rotation is a huge win for the Lakers, especially ahead of an important matchup.

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