‘Healthy, ready’: Lakers all set for deep title run, says Rui Hachimura

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Japanese sensation Rui Hachimura shares his excitement with Filipino reporters as the fully healthy Los Angeles Lakers storm the NBA playoffs stage led by LeBron James and Luka Doncic

MANILA, Philippines – Well-rested and fully healthy, the Los Angeles Lakers finally open their much-awaited first-round matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2025 NBA Playoffs on Saturday, April 19 (Sunday, April 20, Manila time).

Unlike the past two seasons — where they had to go through the play-in tournament to reach the playoffs — the Lakers got a much-needed one-week break before the start of the first round as they finished the regular season as the third-seeded team in the Western Conference with a 50-32 record.

After a roller-coaster season filled with injuries and trades, Lakers starting forward Rui Hachimura believes the team is ready to go all-out this postseason as the storied franchise goes for its 18th title and its first championship since the 2019-2020 season.

“During the season, we had a lot of injuries, in and out [of players], and trades. We had different lineups, different rotations, but now, everyone’s healthy, and we’re ready to play,” Hachimura told reporters during a media session on Thursday, April 17.

“I think as a team, we have the right pieces to win the championship.”

Following the blockbuster trade with the Dallas Mavericks in February that sent Luka Doncic to Los Angeles in exchange for Anthony Davis, the Lakers have played inspired basketball, going 18-10 in the 28 games that Doncic suited up in.

The gravity that Doncic brings to the Lakers offense and his formation of the “Big 3” with LeBron James and Austin Reaves benefited the scoring numbers of guys like Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Jaxson Hayes, and Dorian Finney-Smith, among others.

“Having those three guys on the floor, each are so great in their own way. They create so many advantages for the offense and create so many problems for the defense. We’re lucky to have all three of them, all three attack the game a different way, but they’re all very effective,” Vincent said during the same media session.

“Of course, we have those three guys, Big 3: Luka, LeBron, and Austin. They’re going to handle the ball and facilitate the game, but we also have a lot of spot-up shooters [like] me, Dorian, and Gabe, so we’re ready,” added Hachimura.

Going up against the sixth-seeded Wolves, the Lakers should be wary of Anthony Edwards, who led the entire league in three-pointers made this season with 320 treys.

In 79 games played this season, Edwards also averaged a career-best 27.6 points on 39.5% shooting from long distance.

However, he will need his teammates such as Julius Randle, Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert to also step up on both ends of the floor if they hope to pull off the upset over the Lakers.

“I think it’s going to be a fun one,” said Hachimura. – Rappler.com