Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura shuts down Doja Cat dating rumors as social media buzz explodes

Rumors move fast in the NBA world, especially when a global star is involved. This week, Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura unexpectedly found himself at the center of an online chatter linking him to the Grammy-winning artist, Doja Cat. What began as a joke post on social media quickly turned into a trending topic, forcing the Lakers forward to address the situation publicly.The speculation didn’t come from a verified news outlet, instead, it originated from a parody Instagram page, named “Durant”, an account often known for mixing humor with sports-related gossip. Despite its unofficial nature, the post gained attention across the basketball world, allowing fans to speculate about the identity of an “NBA player” Doja Cat was allegedly seeing. The buzz grew loud enough that Hachimura decided to shut it down himself. The dating rumor surfaced midweek when the parody account shared a post suggesting that Hachimura and Doja Cat were romantically involved. Given Doja Cat’s massive fanbase and Hachimura’s rising profile with the Lakers, the post quickly spread beyond the social media platforms. Rather than ignoring it, Hachimura addressed the rumor directly in the comment section, adding “Mann f** no”, with a laughing emoji. His response was blunt and humorous, however, with this short message, he denied the claim, making it obvious that there was no truth behind the speculation. His reaction ended the conversation, with many fans appreciating how straightforwardly he handled the situation. Rui Hachimura has generally kept his personal life away from the spotlight. According to past reports, he has been linked to Los Angeles-based fitness influencer Briana Delgado since 2021. While neither has publicly commented on their relationship, the connection has been noted over the years. At present, there is no confirmed update on whether they are still together, as both have remained quite private.Doja Cat’s dating history, on the other hand, has often attracted public attention. In 2024, she was widely linked to British actor Joseph Quinn, known for his role as “Eddie Munson” in the popular show “Stranger Things”, after the two were seen together at public events in London, including a concert where they appeared close. Their alleged romance sparked months of discussion among fans. However, by late 2025, Doja suggested in an interview that she was no longer in a committed relationship, hinting that she was enjoying her single life. Ultimately, the Hachimura–Doja Cat rumor began as internet satire, gained attention through fan speculation, and ended the moment Hachimura addressed it himself.