Rui Hachimura makes debut for Los Angeles Clippers in win over Kings
The former Los Angeles Lakers forward tallied 10 points and eight rebounds in his first regular-season game with his new team.
Rui Hachimura opened his tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night, contributing 10 points and eight rebounds to a 121-96 victory over the Sacramento Kings at the Intuit Dome. Hachimura joined the Clippers in free agency during the offseason on a two-year, $28 million contract after spending three and a half seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Playing as the starting power forward in the season opener, Hachimura shot 3-of-13 from the field and hit two three-pointers while adding two assists, one steal, and one block. Head coach Tyronn Lue has challenged the 28-year-old forward to average seven to eight rebounds per game this season to help stabilize the team's frontcourt amidst a wave of early-season injuries.
The Clippers played without several key rotation players on Wednesday, including Bradley Beal, Brandon Ingram, Max Strus, Yanic Konan Niederhauser, and Jordan Miller. Despite the shorthanded roster, the team secured a dominant win, outscoring the Kings' reserves 53-34 and shooting 52.4 percent from the floor.
Hachimura's debut comes after a productive preseason where he averaged 17.0 points per contest while shooting efficiently from the field and beyond the arc. Given the Clippers' current lack of proven veteran scorers, analysts note that Hachimura could take on an expanded offensive role compared to his final years with the Lakers.
Prior to the season opener, former Lakers teammate Austin Reaves shared humorous reflections on Hachimura's arrival in Los Angeles back in 2023. Reaves recalled that Hachimura was so quiet initially that he wondered if the forward spoke English, before eventually becoming a vocal and reliable teammate.
The Clippers will look to build on Wednesday's momentum as they navigate a challenging early-season schedule without owner Steven Ballmer, who is serving a one-year suspension issued by the NBA. Hachimura and his teammates are scheduled to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday in their first road game of the regular season.
Sources
- Rui Hachimura finishes victory with 10 points nbcsports.com
- Austin Reaves Hilariously Roasts Former Lakers Teammate Rui Hachimura sports.yahoo.com
- Rui Hachimura, Pinangalanang Starting Power Forward ng LA Clippers sa Season Opener Laban sa Sacramento Kings news.jkn.co.kr
- Clippers dedicate season-opening rout of Kings to banned Ballmer ocregister.com