Getting ready to face a mountainous task, the Los Angeles Lakers sense the opportunity ahead.
The Lakers took care of business in the first round by defeating the Houston Rockets in six games.
Things got hairy briefly with the Lakers losing back-to-back games to allow the Rockets to pull within a game of tying the series, but L.A. came out sharp in Game 6 to put Houston to bed.
Up next is, by virtually everyone’s estimation, an enormous task: challenge the Oklahoma City Thunder.
They are the defending champs. Some even call them a pack of hungry Hyenas.
The Thunder were the only team to sweep their first round series. That alone suggests they are already living up to their championship billing. They made quick and easy work of the feisty Phoenix Suns.
To put up a fight against Oklahoma City, L.A. will have to dig deep into its bag of tricks. It’s not a very deep bag given the status of Luka Doncic, but the Lakers have no choice but to go out there and fire freely.
That includes auxiliary parts stepping up in a major way.
Los Angeles Lakers Reveal Stunning Stat on Star
There was plenty for the Lakers to like about the first round. Some to loathe, too, but perhaps some of that is forgivable given they were without Doncic and mostly without Austin Reaves.
That left LeBron James, the newly appointed captain, to step forth and steer the ship with the big scoring guns sidelined.
GettyLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James
For much of round one, James was exemplary and age-defying in many ways. He had his stumbles, but the man is 41 for crying out loud.
L.A. once again saw another key piece step up to the plate, something he has been doing consistently in his three years since joining the team.
Rui Hachimura is as steady as any role player can be in the spotlight. He’s not a superstar nor a player asked to carry the lion share of the load. He just produces every postseason.
Especially from the 3-point line.
As Game 1 from Oklahoma City approaches, the Lakers dropped an eye-popping stat on social media illustrating Hachimura’s deadeye accuracy from beyond the arc in the postseason.
“Rui’s shooting 50.8% from beyond the arc — the highest EVER during the NBA Playoffs,” punctuating the message with an emoji, the Lakers wrote on their official X account.
Hachimura Continues to be Good–’Ole Reliable
Since coming to the Lakers via trade three years ago, Hachimura has posted 12.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game in 32 games — incredibly solid numbers for a player in a supporting role.
L.A. is only six games into the 2026 playoffs, but Hachimura is already flexing his consistency. In the first round triumph over the Rockets, the 28-year-old Lakers forward averaged 15.8 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 54.3% from the field and … and a remarkable 58.6% from the 3-point line.
Hachimura was critical in helping the Lakers snatch a victory to go up a commanding 3-0 over the Rockets, scoring 22 points while cashing four of seven 3-pointers.
In the closeout Game 6, he tallied 21 points while hitting five of seven tries from beyond the arc.
For the Lakers to stand a chance against the physical, brazen defending champs, Hachimura will need to play an integral role. Maybe even his best playoff series ever.
Game 1 is approaching fast. Tip from Paycom Center is set for 7:30 p.m.
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