The Lakers’ semifinal series against the Thunder just ended, with the defending champions sweeping Los Angeles in four games. But the biggest surprise of the sweep wasn’t how badly the Lakers lost—it was the emergence of a true playoff star on their roster.
Los Angeles entered the playoffs with major injury setbacks, as Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves were both sidelined late in the season. Few gave the Lakers a chance, expecting even a first-round exit. But LeBron James carried the team, leading a depleted squad past the Rockets in six games.
The real standout, however, was Rui Hachimura. Fans and analysts had long labeled him as “soft.” Known as a forward who could shoot decently in the regular season but struggled defensively, few believed he could deliver in high-pressure games.
This postseason, Hachimura completely flipped that narrative. In Game 4 against the Thunder, he shot 4-of-8 from three and scored 25 points, nearly sparking a comeback with a clutch four-point play. His previous game was even hotter: 5-of-8 from deep for 21 points, plus solid rebounding and assists. In the two games before that, he went 4-of-7 and 3-of-6 from three, respectively. Against a Thunder team that steamrolled the West, Hachimura showed no fear.
And it wasn’t just the Thunder series. Against the Rockets, his three-point shooting was already lights out. Over six games, his worst performance from deep was 1-of-2, with a high of 5-of-7. Throughout the entire postseason, Hachimura is averaging 17.5 points and 4 rebounds per game, with a ridiculous three-point percentage of 57%. Even more impressive: his wide-open three-point percentage is 70%, the best in the league by a wide margin—second-place Tyrese Maxey sits at just 53%.
The streak is historic. Hachimura has now made at least 50% of his three-pointers in 12 consecutive playoff games, an NBA record. Fans who once called him soft are quietly revising their opinions—this version of Hachimura is as tough as they come.
All of this comes in a contract year, and the performance could not be better timed. A deal worth four years and $100 million suddenly looks like a bargain. Some argue he could command $120 million or more, and it’s hard to disagree—when a player transforms into a playoff weapon like this, that kind of money is well spent. Critics used to say Hachimura couldn’t handle big moments. Now it’s clear he just needed the right stage. The playoffs are the ultimate test, and Hachimura has carved his name into that test like few others this year.
Of course, he’s not perfect. His defense has flaws—he struggles to keep up with quicker guards, and his inside presence on rebounding and rim protection isn’t elite. But these are minor issues. If the Lakers don’t re-sign him this summer, plenty of teams will be lining up for his services.
