With Luka out and the Lakers needing someone beyond the main options to steady the offense, Rui gave them exactly that. Not huge volume. Not a takeover game. Just clean shots, calm finishes, and baskets that came at the right moments.
That matters in an elimination setting. Role players can swing those games fast, either by forcing too much or by disappearing. Hachimura did neither. He found his spots, finished efficiently, and helped keep the Lakers from losing control of the game.
The harder question is what it means going forward. Maybe it was just a sharp one-night playoff burst. Maybe it points to something bigger, especially if Los Angeles gives him more touches in high-pressure stretches.
Either way, in a series decided by small margins, Rui gave the Lakers what contenders need from their secondary guys: efficient scoring, solid decisions, and a steady presence when things got tight.
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