Rui Hachimura’s Quiet Mastery: 21 Points on 75% Shooting as Lakers’ Silent Assassin vs Hornets

In the Los Angeles Lakers’ gritty 121-111 road win over the Charlotte Hornets on November 10, 2025, Rui Hachimura reminded everyone why he’s the ultimate glue guy who wins championships without ever needing the spotlight.

9-for-12 FG | 3-for-3 3PT | 21 points | +13 | 35:36 minutes | ZERO free-throw attempts needed.

That’s not just efficient. That’s surgical.

The Numbers Don’t Lie — They Scream Elite Role Player

• 75.0% FG (9-12) — best on the team among starters
• 100% from three (3-3) — including two running triples in the third-quarter explosion
• 2 offensive rebounds → second-chance daggers
• Only 1 turnover in 36 minutes of high-intensity playoff-level basketball
• +13 net rating — second only to Austin Reaves (+18)
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When the Hornets cut it to 7 in the fourth, who stopped the bleeding?

Rui.

18-foot pull-up jumper at 5:54.

15-foot fadeaway over Bridges at 3:28.

Ice in his veins.

The Plays That Won the Game (Without Anyone Noticing)

1. Q1 3:33 — Cutting dunk off Luka gravity (29-29 tie → Lakers never trail again)
2. Q3 8:13 — Corner three after Smart steal (76-67 → Hornets call timeout shell-shocked)
3. Q3 5:50 — Running 25-foot triple in transition (85-70 → game effectively over)
4. Q4 3:28 — Fadeaway over Miles Bridges with the shot clock dying (112-101 → Hornets wave white flag)

Every single one came at a momentum-swing moment. Every single one was uncontested because defenses are so terrified of Luka and Reaves that they leave Rui wide open… and pay dearly.

Why This Version of Rui Is Different

This isn’t the Wizards Rui who needed 20 shots to get 18 points.

This is Lakers Rui 2.0:

• Zero forced shots
• Zero ego
• 100% trust in the system
• Lethal when ignored
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“I just play my game. If they leave me, I shoot. If they close, I attack or find Luka.”

— Rui Hachimura, post-game (translation: I’m the perfect co-star)

Season Context: He’s Doing This Every Night

Through the first 10 games of 2025-26:

• Averaging 18.4 PPG on 62% FG and 48% 3PT off the bench/start
• +9.8 net rating (best among rotation forwards)
• Shooting 82% on shots labeled “wide open” because help always comes late

He’s not an All-Star.

He doesn’t need to be.

He’s the guy championship teams dream of having at the 4.