Rui Hachimura Nears Return for Lakers as Injury Report Continues to Shrink

The Los Angeles Lakers may soon be getting a much-needed boost to their rotation, as Rui Hachimura is nearing a return after missing nearly two weeks with a right calf strain.

After sitting out the last five games, Hachimura was officially upgraded to questionable ahead of Friday night’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, a significant step forward in his recovery process and a promising sign for a Lakers team that has battled injuries across the roster.

Rui Hachimura Practices, Listed as Questionable

Hachimura’s status upgrade follows a productive stretch of rehab work, including a full practice with the South Bay Lakers, which often serves as the final checkpoint before a player is cleared to return to NBA action.

The Lakers announced on Thursday that Hachimura is questionable for Friday’s game, putting him squarely in contention to suit up for the first time since suffering the calf strain earlier this month.

Rui Hachimura and LeBron James are both questionable vs. Milwaukee.
— Khobi Price, Jan. 9, 2026

The upgrade signals that Hachimura is responding well to treatment and conditioning, though the team has not yet confirmed whether he will be placed on a minutes restriction if he does play.

LeBron James Also Trending Toward a Return

Hachimura isn’t the only key Laker trending in the right direction. LeBron James, who missed Wednesday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, has also been upgraded to questionable for Friday.

With James and Hachimura both potentially returning, the Lakers could regain two vital contributors just as they prepare for a challenging stretch of games against elite competition.

The Lakers have been shorthanded for much of the past week, missing multiple starters and rotation players at the same time. However, signs point toward the team finally turning a corner health-wise.

Lakers Slowly Regaining Full Health

Despite the injuries, the Lakers have managed to stay afloat — and even thrive — during this stretch.

Gabe Vincent returned earlier this week after a lengthy absence, and his presence has helped stabilize the backcourt. With Hachimura potentially next in line to return, the Lakers’ injury report is finally beginning to shrink rather than grow.

That trend is particularly encouraging considering how thin the rotation had become at times. The Lakers leaned heavily on role players and short-handed lineups, yet still managed to stack wins, underscoring the team’s resilience and depth.

Caution Likely with Rui’s Return

While Hachimura is close to returning, the Lakers may choose to proceed carefully.

The team recently saw Austin Reaves return from his own calf strain, only to aggravate the injury shortly after. That experience could influence how the Lakers handle Hachimura’s reintegration, especially given the delicate nature of calf injuries.

That said, not all calf strains are identical, and the Lakers’ medical staff will tailor Hachimura’s return based on his specific recovery timeline. Even if he does play Friday, a minutes restriction or a bench role would not be surprising.

Lineup Decisions Loom for Lakers Coaching Staff

As the Lakers approach full health, head coach Darvin Ham (or current coach, depending on season continuity) will face some important lineup decisions.

The starting unit has been a point of concern at times this season, and Hachimura has frequently been mentioned as the most likely starter to shift to the bench once everyone is available.

Those decisions may ultimately depend on Austin Reaves’ health and conditioning, as well as how Hachimura looks upon his return. When Reaves came back from his calf injury earlier, he was brought off the bench in his first game — a precedent that could be applied to Hachimura as well.

If Rui does return Friday, there’s a strong chance he plays a reduced role initially, allowing the coaching staff to ease him back into game speed while maintaining lineup continuity.

Big Picture: A Positive Trend for Los Angeles

Regardless of whether Hachimura plays against Milwaukee, the broader takeaway is overwhelmingly positive for the Lakers.

• The injury list is getting shorter

• Key contributors are returning to action

• The team is winning despite adversity

That combination bodes well as the season progresses and the Lakers look to build momentum in a crowded Western Conference playoff race.

If all goes well, Friday night could mark Rui Hachimura’s return, adding another versatile two-way forward back into the mix — and giving the Lakers one more reason to feel optimistic about what lies ahead.

All eyes will now be on the final injury report.