The Los Angeles Lakers went through a significant rough patch when the injury report started piling up for their recent four-game road trip. The results were about what one would expect.
The Lakers were missing major rotational players like LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Jaxson Hayes consistently. Added to that was other key pieces popping in and out of the lineup. That road trip ended with a disappointing 0-4 record, continually exposing the need for Los Angeles to have their main contributors regularly healthy and available.
With some of those injured players returning to the lineup, the Lakers managed to bounce back and win their next two against the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs. The biggest returns that Los Angeles still await at this point are those of James and Hachimura. Thankfully for the Lakers, it has been suggested those injuries will soon be a thing of the past.
Insider reveals expected timeline for James and Hachimura to return
To start things off with the bad news, the pair in question here will not be available for Wednesday night's crucial matchup against the Denver Nuggets. Jovan Buha of The Athletic confirmed as much on Twitter/X.
Lakers’ injury report vs. Denver tomorrow:
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) March 19, 2025
— Trey Jemison III upgraded to questionable.
— Luka Doncic is probable. pic.twitter.com/LCyU97bhat
However, Buha is also the main source of optimism with regard to when the two will be back in the lineup. In a recent writeup for The Athletic, the Lakers insider revealed both James and Hachimura appear to be very close to a return for Los Angeles.
The article written by Buha was focusing on the offensive transformation with Luka Doncic in the mix. A topic that has also been covered here by this editorial. In that piece, there was a nugget dropped about the road back to the court for the two Lakers forwards.
"Doncic is an offense unto himself, and it takes time to incorporate that type of talent 50-plus games into a season," Buha wrote. "Once James and Rui Hachimura return, which could be by the end of the week, the Lakers will be well-positioned to finally reach their offensive ceiling."
Having both players back will provide the Lakers with a huge opportunity for a late season surge. When James was available, the Lakers were soaring, enjoying an eight-game winning streak. The effective defense and versatility of the 21-time All-Star was crucial for Los Angeles' dominance.
What is even more impressive about that stretch for the Lakers was the absence of Hachimura for half of the streak. The two-way forward suffered his left patellar tendinopathy against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Feb. 27, the fourth win during that stretch for Los Angeles.
It has felt like a significant amount of time since the Lakers have had what most would consider their full rotation available to them. With the team trending towards the entirety of their key pieces being available, they are in great position to finish the 2024-25 campaign strong before the NBA Playoffs roll around.