A former NBA star recently named Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura the best third- and fourth-string options in the league.

That same night, I got a call from my agent again. He said, ‘The Lakers want you.’ And I was like, ‘Lakers? What Lakers?’ Because I never even thought that I’d be a Laker. Right? So I’m like, ‘Wait, what?

In the NBA, we already live in our own bubble, right? The NBA is its own world—300 players, small group. But the Lakers? They have their own bubble inside that. We move differently.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura said he is feeling fine despite needing to go back to the locker room against the Denver Nuggets.

LeBron James added 25 points, Austin Reaves scored 23 and Rui Hachimura had 21 when he left holding his left side with 10 minutes remaining — the Lakers didn’t miss him, going on a 12-2 run to stretch their lead to 19.

Rui Hachimura pokes the ball over to Luka Doncic, who drops in an open layup for the Lakers.

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick spoke to Rui Hachimura's 'outstanding' defense against Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic.

Haxson Hayes, Rui Hachimura, and Jarred Vanderbilt must step up as JJ Redick looks to adjust the team’s strategy. Can this new-look Lakers squad survive without their defensive anchor?

Hachimura went to the locker room during the fourth quarter of Saturday's game against the Nuggets due to a back injury, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports. Hachimura appeared to suffer the injury while guarding Aaron Gordon,

Hachimura briefly left early in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game after appearing tweaking his back. He was evaluated by trainers in the locker room, but the injury doesn't appear to be severe enough for him to be sidelined for the rest of the contest.

Hachimura closed Wednesday's 131-119 loss to the Jazz with 19 points (8-15 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 0-1 FT), three rebounds and one assist in 30 minutes. Even with Luka Doncic and LeBron James in the lineup for the Lakers,