Rui Hachimura steps into Lakers’ starting lineup in place of injured Taurean Prince
Coach Darvin Ham said pregame that Prince had been playing through the ailment and is day-to-day moving forward.
LOS ANGELES — The Lakers had to make another starting lineup change because of an injury ahead of Sunday’s home game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
With Taurean Prince sidelined because of left knee soreness, Rui Hachimura stepped into the first unit alongside D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Coach Darvin Ham said pregame that Prince had been playing through the ailment and is day-to-day moving forward.
“He’s been fighting through some pain for some time now,” Ham added. “So we just want to try to get in front of it and give him a night to calm it down a little bit.”
The Russell-Reaves-Hachimura-James-Davis quintet hadn’t played a full minute together before Sunday, according to the league’s official website.
Sunday was Hachimura’s first start since making his return from a strained left calf in the Jan. 13 road loss to the Utah Jazz. He mentioned ahead of Friday’s home loss to the Brooklyn Nets that he’s still working himself into game shape after the five-game absence.
“My calf is still not 100%, but it’s been great,” Hachimura said after the team’s Friday morning shootaround. “I’m moving well.”
Prince has been a steady part of the Lakers’ lineup, starting in all 41 games he’s been available so far this season.
“Just his toughness, his ability to rebound, take on tough matchups, and make 3-point shots has been big for us,” Ham said. “So we’ll figure out something, I’m sure.”
REDDISH RETURN
Cam Reddish was available against the Blazers after missing three games because of left knee effusion (swelling).
A starter for most of the season, Reddish came off the bench on Sunday.
Reddish (one) and Jarred Vanderbilt (two), two of the team’s best perimeter defenders, combined for three first-half steals.
“You just have to throw them out there and see what happens in terms of how they’re fitting, them trying to regain that chemistry, having a good rhythm, good synergy, in terms of how that group – whatever five is on the floor – those two, in particular, how they’re functioning together,” Ham said. “What you’re seeing with Vando, he’s starting to get back in game shape.
“Being healthy and being in shape are two different things. You’re seeing with him that quick-twitch is coming back. He’s getting his legs up under him. And it’s the same for Cam. He’s been out for a few games. So him coming back, there’s gonna be a period where he’s gonna be gassed a little bit. So just having to try to work through all of that to just make sure, again, that we’re fortifying our rotation and guys are able to not only be available but perform at a high level.”