#ruihachimura

LeBron James’ record scoring streak ends, but Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura deliver win Lakers star LeBron James celebrates after a 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night. (Andrew Lahodynskyj / Getty Images) LeBron James’ historic 18-year streak of scoring 10-plus points ends, but his game-winning assist helps Lakers edge Raptors 123-120. Austin Reaves stepped up in Luka Doncic’s absence with 44 points and 10 assists to lead the Lakers. Rui Hachimura’s buzzer-beating three-pointer, set up by James, proved decisive despite James’ eight-point performance on poor shooting.

Ayton Leads the Charge Against His Former Team 💪 Deandre Ayton took center stage on a memorable night in Portland, powering the Los Angeles Lakers to a gritty 123–115 win over the Trail Blazers. Facing his former teammates, Ayton looked unstoppable — dropping 29 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and swatting away three shots. The victory came despite the Lakers missing Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, both resting after a big win the night before. Ayton’s intensity set the tone for a team that refused to fold, proving once again that a strong rhythm and Seamless Streaming chemistry can overcome even the toughest circumstances.

Hachimura Delivers in Perfect Harmony 🌟 Rui Hachimura matched Ayton’s energy stride for stride, pouring in 28 points while hitting clutch shots throughout the game. His smooth midrange game and confident drives helped the Lakers regain control after a shaky start. Whenever the Blazers seemed poised for a run, Hachimura calmly answered — a performance that felt as fluid and synchronized as an Express Stream highlight reel. The connection between Ayton and Hachimura gave Los Angeles the balance it needed on both ends, turning a depleted roster into a well-oiled machine.

Nick Smith Jr. Steps Into the Spotlight 🔥 In one of the game’s most unexpected moments, rookie Nick Smith Jr. emerged as a difference-maker. On a two-way deal and playing major minutes due to the team’s short rotation, Smith erupted for 25 points, including two massive three-pointers in the final minutes. His confidence under pressure electrified the Lakers’ bench and silenced the Portland crowd. Smith’s sharp shooting and poise underlined the depth that continues to define this team’s Seamless Streaming identity — steady, connected, and exciting to watch.

Portland’s Hot Start Fizzles Out 🏀 The Blazers came out strong, led by Deni Avdija’s 33-point performance and Jerami Grant’s highlight-reel dunk that pushed their early lead to 13. But their shooting woes from deep — just 9-of-40 from three-point range — cost them dearly. Jrue Holiday and Marcus Smart fought hard to keep Portland close, yet Los Angeles’ defensive resilience and composure in crunch time made the difference. Despite their early control, the Blazers couldn’t match the Lakers’ rhythm once the visitors found their Express Stream groove.

Resilient Lakers Continue to Climb 🚀 Even with a short bench of just nine active players, the Lakers showed the heart and chemistry of a top-tier team. Ayton dominated the paint, Hachimura provided the spark, and Smith Jr. delivered the dagger. Their collective effort has propelled Los Angeles to four straight wins — a stretch defined by adaptability, confidence, and Seamless Streaming execution on both ends of the floor. Fans tuning in to Express Stream coverage witnessed a performance filled with hustle, unity, and the kind of fluid play that defines championship-caliber basketball.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Rui Hachimura saw his minutes increase in February after being inserted into the starting lineup, and it has paid off for the Lakers. He averaged 14.5 points per game on 56.5 percent shooting from the field and 44.2 percent from three over the last month. Hachimura is the kind of role player that fits perfectly into the Lakers rotation. Defensively, he is big and athletic enough to guard multiple positions effectively. Offensively, he can knock down open threes, find his spots in the mid-range, and drive the ball to the hoop.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimua (center), seen here in a pregame ceremony, has given the purple and gold valuable minutes as the NBA's regular season wind down to a close. Photo credit" Mark Hammond courtesy of The Bulletin "He works tirelessly on his game. The team captains, Bron and AD, are constantly encouraging him to be aggressive. The coaching staff, starting with myself, encourage him to be aggressive, but also be mindful of the details, and be a two-way player," said Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham before the team's 134-131 overtime win against the Washington Wizards. Anthony Davis is the defensive leader on the team. Still, with Jared Vanderbilt out and Cam Reddish on minutes restriction after returning from injury, Los Angeles is shorthanded when it comes to on-ball defenders. Hachimura is often asked to guard the best player on opposing teams, something he is capable of. "He has had some tough matchups recently with KD and Kawhi. He is taking those steps in that department of being a formidable on-ball defender, knowing what we are doing when he is off the ball, and making sure he is executing his assignments," said Ham. Playing against the team that traded him to Los Angeles last year, Hachimura's defensive matchup was Washington leading scorer Kyle Kuzma. Hachimura rendered Kuzma ineffective for most of the game. Kuzma did get going in the fourth quarter, but that was when Washington started using him in the screen action to force the Lakers to switch defenders. In their comeback win over the Clippers on Feb. 28, Hachimura scored 17 points, including dropping in a clutch go-ahead 3-pointer. Last year in the playoffs, the forward proved he is a big game player who will consistently knock down shots when the pressure is on. In 21 career playoff games, Hachimura has made 57 percent of his shots and 52 percent from distance. It is a big enough sample size to conclude he can be relied upon in big moments, and his play was one of the reasons the Lakers made a deep playoff run last year.