L.A. could've used forward Rui Hachimura, who missed his fourth straight game with an ankle sprain and has greatly improved his rebounding this season while shooting a very high percentage from 3-point range.

Lakers starting forward Rui Hachimura has missed the team's last three games with a sprained ankle. There was perhaps some faint hope that he would be able to return for Thursday's game, but he will be out once again. In 10 games, Hachimura is averaging 12.7 points in 33.9 minutes a game while shooting 50% from 3-point range on 3.6 attempts a game.

The starting forward and backup center, both nursing sprained ankles, miss their third and fourth straight games, respectively, and rookie Dalton Knecht makes his third consecutive start.

After missing the Lakers’ last four games due to injury, Rui Hachimura is set to make his return against the Nuggets on Saturday.

The Los Angeles Lakers are back in action on Saturday night hosting the Denver Nuggets, who have won 12 of the last 13 meetings, including two postseasons series’.

The Lakers’ rotation has been in flux due to injuries to several key players. Luckily, the team has announced one of them will return tomorrow against the Denver Nuggets.