Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura underwent a procedure Friday to repair a nasal fracture, the team announced. Hachimura, 25, did not accompany the Lakers on their four-game trip, which starts in Cleveland tonight and continues through Philadelphia (Monday), Detroit (Wednesday), and Oklahoma City (Thursday).

The 6-foot-8 wing will be re-evaluated by team doctors in about a week, the Lakers said. Hachimura’s injury occurred late in the first quarter of Wednesday’s 104-101 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Of course, he posted nine points, three rebounds, and one assist in 26 minutes off the bench.

Referring to a few NBA betting sites, the Los Angeles Lakers hold seventh-shortest odds to win this season’s 2024 championship. Sportsbooks are showing better odds for the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and Philadelphia 76ers.

Another setback for the Lakers: Rui Hachimura underwent a procedure to repair a nasal fracture today, the team announced. The injury occurred in the Mavericks game on Wednesday. He will be reevaluated by team doctors in approximately one week.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 24, 2023

Hachimura also suffered a concussion against the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 29 that led to him missing four games. Since his return, he has averaged 13.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in his last eight games going into Wednesday’s loss to Dallas.

Through 12 appearances this season, Hachimura is averaging 11.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 23.3 minutes per game. The Gonzaga product is shooting a career-best 50.5% from the floor, along with 42.9% from 3-point range and 78.6% at the foul line.

Los Angeles Lakers’ Rui Hachimura (nasal fracture) out at least a week, Gabe Vincent (knee) out indefinitely

In Los Angeles’ 128-94 win over the Houston Rockets on Nov. 8, the five-year veteran recorded season highs of 24 points and eight boards in 26 minutes as a reserve. Hachimura shot 10-of-14 (71.4%) form the field and drained two 3-pointers as well.

The 2023-24 Lakers have had quite the injury-riddled season. Starting forward Cam Reddish missed the Dallas matchup because of soreness in his left groin. Plus, forward Jarred Vanderbilt (heel bursitis) has yet to make his season debut, and guard Gabe Vincent (left knee swelling) has missed the last three weeks.

Additionally, Los Angeles continues to show LeBron James as probable on the injury report due to a left calf contusion, and Anthony Davis is listed as probable because of discomfort in his left hip.

“We just have to weather the storm,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham told Spectrum SportsNet’s Mike Trudell when asked how he plans to work around the injuries.

Lakers currently have THREE players shooting 40+% from 3:

1. Rui Hachimura: 43% (1.3 3pm)
2. LeBron James: 41% (2.4 3pm)
3. D’angelo Russell: 40% (2.3 3pm)

The 3pt Shooting is on the rise. 📈

More Interesting Stats on the latest Lakers Legacy Podcast:https://t.co/80Ay2Jk1jY pic.twitter.com/LnZPP2YtBB

— Lakers Legacy (@LakersLegacyPod) November 25, 2023

“We haven’t been whole yet, but I think the guys that have been out there and able to compete for us, they’ve done a phenomenal job,” Ham added.

“We’ve had some tough losses, some tough wins, some lopsided losses, some lopsided wins. So, it’s all a part of trying to figure out your group. We’ll continue watching film, doing our walkthroughs.

“Whenever we get a chance to practice, we’ll touch on different things and try to refortify ourselves. But again, the general things, ingredients you need to be successful, I see in our group: the selflessness, the togetherness, the competitive spirit. That’s all you can ask for at this point in the season. We’re laying a great foundation.”

The Lakers signed Hachimura to a three-year, $51 million contract extension in the offseason after they acquired him from the Washington Wizards in January.

It is no secret by now that the Bulls and Zach LaVine are not on the same page. As a result, the Zach LaVine trade sweepstakes have been been heating up in the past couple of weeks. There have been a few teams who have been mentioned in terms of the All-Star guard’s services. The main teams being brought up have been the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Miami Heat. However, it now seems as if the Heat are not interested in trading for LaVine at all. They are content with the current makeup of their squad.

Miami Heat Reportedly Not Interested in Chicago Bulls Shooting Guard, Zach LaVine 

Heat Don’t Want to Part With Tyler Herro 

Any potential package centered around Zach LaVine from the Heat will likely require Tyler Herro. Much like the Damian Lillard situation. The Heat feel as if LaVine already has the same skillset as Herro, but on a more expensive contract. Plus, he is an older player. That still does not change the fact that Zach LaVine is still miles better than Herro, but Miami seems set on Herro’s services for the future.

The two-time All-Star this season is still averaging 22.3 points on an effective field goal percentage of 53.1 percent. Clearly, the Bulls shooting guard still has something left in the tank. Even if the team could acquire LaVine without giving up Tyler Herro, the Heat would have an extremely expensive squad. They would exceed the $172.6 million luxury tax line by about $3 million. With all of this in mind, it somewhat makes sense why the Heat have no interest in negotiating for the star high-flyer.

Other Potential Destinations for Zach LaVine 

While the Miami Heat are most likely out of the Zach LaVine sweepstakes, there are still a few squad around the NBA who would be extremely interested. Of course, the first team who comes to mind for many peers is the Los Angeles Lakers. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis getting older, many think a third star to form a star trio would elevate the team into the elite echelon of the Western Conference. The Bulls would still ask for a hefty package and the Lakers cannot afford to lose too much depth.

Another team many NBA peers have been bringing up is the Philadelphia 76ers. With them out of the shadow of James Harden, they have been playing more loosely and more free. The reigning MVP in Joel Embiid continues to perform at a high level and Tyrese Maxey looks like a star in the making. However, many speculate that Zach LaVine could be the missing piece to push them past the second round of the playoffs. Especially with the door in the Eastern Conference looking wide open for them considering the Milwaukee Bucks have been struggling. If Zach LaVine were brought into the fold, a course to a 76ers-Celtics Eastern Conference Finals seems extremely likely. All in all, whichever team lands LaVine, will be acquiring a high-level scorer who should increase their chances at a title this year.

Angel Reese remains away from the LSU women’s basketball team after missing her third consecutive game against Niagara on Friday. In fact, Reese did not travel with the team on their recent trip to the Cayman Islands Classic.

Head coach Kim Mulkey has declined to provide any details regarding the absence of her star player but rumors have surfaced that Reese’s suspension could be due to her performance in the classroom.

However, Mulkey has also done nothing to dispel the rumors either. Instead, she’s kept all information in-house.

“I’m going to protect my players,” Mulkey said on Monday. “Always. They are more important. It’s like a family. Let me ask you this, if you do some disciplining of your own children, do you think we’re entitled to know that? That’s a family in that locker room…Those kids are like my children, and I’m not gonna tell you what you don’t need to know. And that’s just the way I address things.”

Reese, the Most Outstanding Player in last year’s Final Four, last played on Nov. 14 in LSU’s blowout 109-79 win over Kent State. She finished that game with 11 points and four rebounds but was benched in the second half and has yet to return since.

Along with Reese, teammate Kateri Poole has also not been with the team.

Still, that didn’t stop LSU from cruising to another 99-65 win over Niagara on Friday.

How Has Reese Responded To The Allegations?

Reese has subtly responded to the allegations on her social media accounts. On Nov. 19, she wrote on X and pleaded with fans not to “believe everything you read”. In a recent TikTok video, Reese used audio from Deion Sanders to address her current mindset. In the clip, Sanders is heard saying, “Look at me. What about me would make you think that I care about your opinion of me? Your opinion of me is not the opinion that I have of myself. You ain’t make me, so you can’t break me.”.

@angelreese10♬ original sound – Positive_mindset23

Will Reese Return To The Court This Season?

Reese was reportedly excited for a chance to repeat at LSU this season. Mulkey brought in several high-profile transfers and recruits that positioned the Lady Tigers as one of the most talented teams in the country. Haley Van Lith and Aneesah Morrow both joined LSU via the transfer portal to go along with top recruit Mikayla Williams.

“I wanted a super-team,” Reese told The Athletic prior to the season. “They want greatness and I want greatness. They want a national championship and so do I. So why not do it all together?”

But with Reese reportedly suspended, many LSU fans are wondering when they might see the Bayou Barbie back on the basketball court.

While there has been no indication on the length of her suspension or the nature of her absence from the team, it seems possible that Reese may not be out for much longer. LSU only has one ranked team (No. 9 Virginia Tech) on the schedule for the rest of the month and likely wouldn’t need Reese to win those games.

However, the Lady Tigers are set to tip off the SEC schedule after the New Year and their schedule will get much tougher from there.

With games versus three top-25 teams, including a battle versus No. 1-ranked South Carolina, on tap for January 2024, it wouldn’t be a surprise for Reese to return shortly after the holidays.