Lakers' Rui Hachimura Teases Injury Return in Cryptic 'Loading...' IG Photo

Rui Hachimura has missed the last eight games with patellar tendinopathy, but his return may be imminent.

The Los Angeles Lakers forward posted a cryptic "loading" image to his Instagram Stories on Monday:

That follows a report from ESPN's Shams Charania on Sunday indicating that there is "optimism" that Hachimura will be able to return within the week:

LeBron James, meanwhile, is expected to miss at least another week with his groin strain.

Hachimura, 27, has averaged 13.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 50 games for the Lakers this season, all starts, shooting 50.6 percent from the field and 41 percent from three.

A starting 5 of James, Luka Dončić, Hachimura, Austin Reaves and Jaxson Hayes is potent, while the Lakers have quality depth in Dorian Finney-Smith, Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent, among others.

That depth has been tested in recent weeks, however, as the Lakers have dealt with a series of injuries and were on a four-game losing streak before beating the hapless Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

The Lakers are now 41-25 on the season and fifth in the Western Conference, though they are only one game behind the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies. That means the No. 2 seed in the conference is still very much in play for these Lakers as the regular season nears its end, a goal that will be easier to reach once they are fully healthy.