Lakers' Rui Hachimura to Return Against Mavericks

Rui Hachimura is set to return for the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday after missing the Tuesday matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to left knee patellar tendinopathy. Hachimura has been dealing with recurring knee issues, impacting his availability for back-to-back games, but he remains a significant contributor with averages of 13.1 points and 5.1 rebounds over 57 games this season. The Lakers, cautious with player health, won dominantly against the Thunder 126-99 and are employing a strategic approach to managing player availability. Coach JJ Redick noted that several players have not been cleared for consecutive games, highlighting their player management strategy. Hachimura's return is crucial as the Lakers continue to navigate injuries within their roster.