dailyloe.com – Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura started Monday’s NBA game against the Washington Wizards. This move came due to a one-game suspension for star guard Luka Doncic. The game tipped off at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Hachimura has recent experience in the starting lineup for the Lakers. He started four consecutive games earlier in March 2026. During that stretch, he posted solid averages for the team.
In those four starts, Hachimura averaged 12.5 points per game. He also contributed 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists on average. The forward logged significant minutes, averaging 31.0 per contest during that period.
His availability has been a recent storyline for the Lakers. Team reports listed him as questionable or ruled out for several prior games. This included being ruled out for the previous Monday’s contest.
Hachimura’s return to the starting five provides needed depth. The Lakers are navigating a challenging Western Conference schedule. His performance against his former team, the Wizards, was closely watched.
This game marked another chapter in Hachimura’s NBA career. The Japanese-born player was originally drafted by Washington in 2019. He was traded to the Lakers during the 2022-23 season.[]
Source: CBS Sports
