The Los Angeles Lakers were facing a stiff test in their final game ahead of the 2024 NBA All-Star Break. Not only were they heading on the road to face the Utah Jazz on the second night of a back-to-back, but they were going to be short-handed.
All-Star LeBron James was announced out for the game against the Jazz because of an ankle injury. The injury isn’t considered serious, as his status for the All-Star game this weekend isn’t in doubt. But, without him on the court, the Lakers would need other players to step up.
One of the players who answered the call was Rui Hachimura. Hachimura’s role with the team has fluctuated throughout the season, but without James in the lineup his job was clear; score to help compensate for his absence and that is what he did.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Rui Hachimura, Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
In 33:38 of playing time, Hachimura poured in 36 points, shooting 13-of-19 from the field with six 3-pointers. The points, field goals made and 3-pointers made were all career-highs for Hachimura.
He wasn’t the only player to go off against the Jazz for a big scoring night, as Anthony Davis was also unstoppable. Davis scored 37 points with 15 rebounds as Utah had no answers for him on the interior.
With that performance, Hachimura and Davis accomplished something that hasn’t been done by a Lakers duo since 2003. They are the first pair of teammates, according to the Lakers official account on X, to score 35+ points in the same game since Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.
That is certainly a surprising note given the star-studded duos who have shared the court. Bryant played alongside Pau Gasol for some time and this is the fifth season James and Davis have been teammates.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Rui Hachimura, Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Hachimura joining Davis in scoring 35+ points in the same game before James is certainly surprising. But, the team couldn’t be happier about when it occurred as they needed all the help they could get on Wednesday night.
Winners in three straight games and in six out of their last seven, the Lakers are heading into the NBA All-Star break with some positive momentum. They are now 30-26 on the season, 3.5 games behind the Phoenix Suns for the final spot outside of the NBA Play-In Tournament.
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