The Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to five games with a 106-102 victory over the LA Clippers on Friday night. Luka Doncic led the way with 31 points, five rebounds, and two assists, while LeBron James recorded a double-double with 28 points, 13 rebounds, and three assists to help the Lakers continue their push up the Western Conference standings.

Starting forward Rui Hachimura was absent from the game after sustaining a knee injury during Thursday’s matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The forward appeared to strain his left knee while finishing a layup off a pass from Doncic and did not return.

Following the win over the Clippers, Lakers head coach JJ Redick announced an official injury designation for Hachimura.

“JJ Redick says Rui Hachimura’s injury has been diagnosed as left patellar tendinopathy,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin wrote on X.

According to NBA medical insider Evan Jeffries, Hachimura was likely dealing with the condition before Thursday’s game, and his return will depend on pain tolerance. Per Jeffries, the expectation is that he will miss at least a week to allow the irritation to subside.

“His return timeline will be dependent on pain level and tolerance,” Jeffries wrote.

“Would imagine he’s out at least week to calm down irritation.”

In the month of February, Hachimura averaged 16.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists. With the Lakers now just one game behind the second-seeded Denver Nuggets, they will hope to have him back soon.

In the meantime, the Lakers will return to action in a rematch against the Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday.