Rui Hachimura isn’t stepping into unfamiliar territory — he’s stepping into a bigger spotlight. The 27-year-old forward has been a steady starter for the Los Angeles Lakers, but with LeBron James sidelined to start the 2025–26 season, Hachimura will open the year carrying more offensive responsibility than ever before.

James, now 40 and entering his 23rd NBA season, continues to recover from right-side sciatica suffered during an offseason workout.

The Lakers expect him to miss three to four weeks, targeting a mid-November return, meaning Rui Hachimura’s expanded role could last through the first dozen games of the season.

As one of the few Lakers who’s thrived both alongside and without James, Hachimura understands exactly how his responsibilities will shift. After a preseason win over Golden State, he explained what that adjustment looks like.

“With him being out, I can attack the rim more because he likes to post up more,” Hachimura said. “So that kind of stuff I can do more when he’s out. So yeah, it’s just a little different but not much. I just gotta do the same things that I’m supposed to do.”

Confidence That’s Been Building

Hachimura’s confidence comes from experience, not guesswork. A former lottery pick, he’s proved himself as an efficient, versatile starter capable of thriving within a contending roster.

Head coach JJ Redick noticed that confidence well before James’ injury.

“I would describe Rui as a joy to be around every day,” Redick said this summer. “What I’ve seen just in the last few weeks is a higher level of confidence. As your confidence grows, your production grows. Rui is playing with a lot of confidence and has been an absolute pleasure to coach.”

That mindset carried into one of the best seasons of his career. Across 59 games, Hachimura averaged 13.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists.

He shot 50.9% from the field and a career-high 41.3% from three-point range. His reliable scoring and improved rebounding made him one of Los Angeles’ most dependable options.

Now, with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves leading the offense, Hachimura’s ability to stay efficient while taking more shots will be critical early in the season.

Proving He Can Shoulder More

When James sat last year, Hachimura didn’t just hold his own — he elevated his play. In those games, he averaged 19.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. He shot 52.2% from the field and 52.2% from three, finishing with a 64.2% true shooting percentage.

His usage rate jumped from 15.8% to 22.4%, showing he could handle a larger scoring load without losing efficiency.

He delivered several standout performances — 23 points and four steals against Portland, 24 points and nine rebounds versus Indiana, and 30 points against Minnesota. Each time, he responded to the challenge with control and confidence. Those games proved he can scale his game when the Lakers need it most.

Setting the Tone Early

The Lakers begin the season in a loaded Western Conference, determined to rebound from last year’s first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. That defeat followed a 51-win regular season and a third-place finish in the West, leaving expectations high and patience thin.

Hachimura’s expanded role comes at a crucial time. With Dončić and Reaves leading the attack, his consistency and two-way effort could help keep Los Angeles steady until James returns.

If Hachimura maintains the same production he showed when James sat, the Lakers can stay competitive early — and lay a foundation for a stronger playoff push once their leader is back.