Lakers News: How Rui Hachimura Turned In Greatest LA Game Yet

Did LA's reserve combo forward just earn himself a big raise?

During your Los Angeles Lakers' 128-112 defeat of the Memphis Grizzlies in the opening game of their 2-7 first round playoff matchup, a high-flying combo forward led the way for LA by scoring all over the hardwood.

But the identity of that forward came as a surprise to, well, pretty much all of us.

In 30 minutes for LA off the bench, 6'8" backup Rui Hachimura was the Lakers' top scorer on Sunday. The Gonzaga product notched 29 points on 11-of-14 shooting from the field (5-of-6 from deep) and 2-of-2 shooting from the charity stripe. He also chipped in six assists. 

That scoring tally ties former two-time champ Mychal Thompson's all-time Lakers playoff record for most playoff points from an LA bench player.

He spoke with gathered reporters after his big night.

.@rui_8mura spoke post-game about his huge performance off the bench for the #LakeShow. pic.twitter.com/PIoBbsUNW4

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) April 16, 2023

"I've been watching film with Coach Phil [Handy], he always told me... the way... they guard me, they're going to be in the paint. So I've got to be ready to shoot [that] type of [three-point] shot," Hachimura said. "The second half, we [were] in a good rhythm, everybody was sharing the ball, all those shots just came to me, so... I was... confident."

Hachimura, still just 25, will be a restricted free agent this summer. Playing so well in such a big moment may have earned him at least a solid eight-figure offer from LA or some rival club.

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