Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent will embark on their second-straight playoff run as LA teammates, when the no. 3 Lakers take on the sixth-seed Minnesota Timberwolves in the West first round.
The No. 3 @Lakers and No. 6 @Timberwolves meet in the #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google for the first time since 2004.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 17, 2025
The Lakers won at least 50 games in a season for the first time since their championship-winning season of 2019-20. The Timberwolves, who made the Western…
But this time, they have another superstar on board in Luka Doncic besides LeBron James and Austin Reaves.
STAR POWER IN TIMBERWOLVES-LAKERS 🌟🌟🌟
— NBA (@NBA) April 17, 2025
6 players in NBA history have averaged 27+ PPG, 6+ RPG, & 5+ APG through their first 27 Playoff games...
Three of them are in the MIN-LAL series 🤯
Anthony Edwards
Luka Doncic
LeBron James
Tracy McGrady
Michael Jordan
Oscar Robertson
Hachimura and Vincent emphasized on staying ready and being patient playing alongside a generational talent like Doncic in a media session on Thursday, April 17.
“Luka has brought a great energy to the team since the trade. I think he’s been putting a lot of effort on both sides and he’s in much better shape right now,” Vincent told reporters.
“He’s been playing to a higher level so far,” the 28-year-old guard added.
The numbers don't lie.
Since his arrival to Tinseltown 2 1/2 months ago, the Slovenian star is feeling fairly comfortable with his new team with averages of 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists in 28 games.
More importantly, Doncic is continuously working to build chemistry with Vincent, Hachimura, and his new teammates in his upcoming first playoff run as a member of the Purple and Gold squad.
“He’s an amazing scorer and maybe even a better passer. At the last second, he’ll kick it out or drop it off and he sees what’s going on, tries to make the best read. I just make my hands ready and do my job,” the undrafted player out of UC Santa Barbara bared.
Vincent logged six double-digit games, including scoring a season-high 24, since Luka came aboard while also shooting 40% from deep in 22 contests in March and April.
As for Hachimura on his adjustment playing with Doncic: “I think just being more patient and being out there as a floor spacer.”
The 28-year-old Japanese forward saw an uptick of his numbers since the five-time All-Star joined the team, norming 18.2 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 43% from deep. Pre-Luka trade, Hachimura is just submitting 13.3 markers per contest.
Overall, both role players doubled-down on the Lakers’ chances of raising banner no. 18 sooner rather than later.
“I think the mind set is the same in terms of winning a championship. Every play matters, every detail is important,” Vincent said.
“Everybody is healthy and as a team, we have the right pieces to win the championship,’ Hachimura added.
