The Los Angeles Lakers will not face Rui Hachimura in Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers, who have already selected his replacement in the starting lineup.
Hachimura is out with left quad soreness. The forward experienced the soreness after Sunday’s game and did not practice with the team.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said Kobe Sanders will start in Hachimura’s place. The decision gives Sanders a larger role against a Lakers team he faced off the bench just last week.
Rui Hachimura reported left quad soreness after the game Sunday. He didn’t practice today and is out tomorrow.
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) October 27, 2026
Kobe Sanders gets the start after productive game in Oklahoma City
Sanders scored 12 points in 20 minutes against Oklahoma City on Sunday, adding four rebounds, two assists and a steal. He made two of five 3-point attempts.
The Clippers were outscored overall in their 108-101 loss, but finished Sanders’ minutes with an 11-point advantage. That single-game figure does not establish his individual impact, although his scoring gave the Clippers a useful contribution from the bench before Tuesday’s promotion.
Sanders already has experience opening games for Lue. Had had 16 starts in 68 appearances during his rookie season.
| Player | Wednesday update | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rui Hachimura | Out | Left quad soreness; missed Tuesday’s practice |
| Kobe Sanders | Will start | Named by Tyronn Lue as Hachimura’s replacement |
No return date beyond Wednesday’s absence was provided.
Hachimura’s absence interrupts a larger offensive role
The Clippers had already been playing with several rotation options unavailable, as they listed Bradley Beal, Brandon Ingram, Jordan Miller, Yanic Konan Niederhauser and Max Strus as out ahead of Sunday’s Thunder game.
That earlier list explains the depleted group Hachimura had been helping carry; it is not a newly issued injury report for Wednesday.
His absence now requires another adjustment, with Sanders moving from the bench into the opening lineup.
In an interview published Monday by Tomer Azarly, Hachimura described the more assertive approach the Clippers wanted from him.
“For me, right now with the Clippers’ situation, I’ve got to be the guy to be aggressive,” Hachimura said.
Azarly reported that Hachimura and Darius Garland had taken on central offensive responsibilities while the team dealt with injuries. Lue emphasized putting Hachimura in his preferred scoring areas and praised his ability to find teammates when defenses sent help.
Those responsibilities extend beyond making open shots. Removing Hachimura means the Clippers must redistribute possessions that had been designed to get him the ball in those spots, while Sanders takes his place in the starting group.
Lakers will see a different lineup in the rematch
Hachimura had 16 points and six rebounds against the Lakers on Friday, making 3-of-6 3-point attempts.
Hachimura joined the Clippers after spending three and a half seasons with the Lakers. Lakers Daily previously covered the circumstances surrounding his departure, including the teams’ unsuccessful discussions about a potential sign-and-trade before the Clippers signed him outright.
Wednesday would have offered another quick meeting with his former club. Instead, the Lakers will prepare for a different opening group, with Lue turning to a player who has both prior starting experience and a productive recent outing to build on.
The Clippers list Wednesday’s game against the Lakers for 7:30 p.m. PST.
