Lakers News: Rui Hachimura Talks Statement Home Win Over Grizzlies

LA's reserve power forward has had quite a series.

Backup Los Angeles Lakers power forward Rui Hachimura has emerged as a surprising X-factor for LA during its ongoing first round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies. 

Boasting a 51-31 regular season record, the Grizzlies were favored to ultimately win the matchup, but thanks to some unfortunately timed injuries to key Memphis players, plus some late-season additions to Los Angeles, the two clubs are much closer in ability than the 2-7 series would suggest.

A 2019 lottery pick out of Gonzaga by the Washington Wizards, Hachimura was the first new in-season trade addition to the Lakers, added in January for the relatively low price of Kendrick Nunn and three future second rounders. Although he had a bit of an uneven run with LA during the regular season, he has stepped up in a huge way against a Grizzlies club that, when healthy, can play pretty big. With Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke both sidelined for the year, Hachimura has capitalized in a big way.

In a crucial 111-103 wire-to-wire Game 3 victory, Hachimua's hot scoring streak continued. He scored 16 points while shooting 6-of-10 from the field and 2-of-2 from the charity stripe, grabbed five rebounds and stole one ball. Afterwards, he spoke about how LA intended to be aggressive from the start of the action.

“From the jump, we wanted to let them know who we were.” @rui_8mura and the #LakeShow wanted to make a statement tonight. pic.twitter.com/aV2tRjo9wi

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) April 23, 2023

"From the jump, we wanted to let them know who we were," Hachimura said.

Through three games off the bench, Hachimura is averaging 21.7 points on .667/.750/.800 shooting splits, 5.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.7 steals in 28.0 minutes. Should he keep this up, he seems destined to get locked up by the Lakers to a long-term, eight-figure new salary as a restricted free agent this summer.

We'll see if his run continues in tomorrow's Game 4, which again will take place in the friendly confines Crypto.com Arena.

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