Clippers Open Season With Win as Hachimura Scores Ten Points
Rui Hachimura opened his tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers on October 22, 2026, scoring 10 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and providing 2 assists in a 121–96 home victory over the Sacramento Kings. Playing 32 minutes as a starter at the Intuit Dome, the forward contributed on both ends of the floor as the Clippers built an early advantage.
Hachimura Scores First Points for the Clippers
The Clippers established a 41–29 lead by the end of the first quarter. Hachimura missed his initial two free throw attempts early in the period, but recovered at the 8:25 mark by driving past defenders with a euro step, converting a layup while drawing a foul, and hitting the ensuing free throw to complete a three-point play for his first points with the franchise.
Defensive Contributions and Shooting Range
During the second quarter, Hachimura added two assists and blocked a shot from Precious Achiuwa to spark a fast break. He later hit a three-pointer in the third quarter as the Clippers extended their lead with a 32–16 period. He added another three-pointer with two and a half minutes remaining in the fourth quarter to push the margin to 116–93 before checking out of the game with under two minutes left.
Rui TOUGH and-one bucket! 🇯🇵😤 pic.twitter.com/Dfe7UuQQNl
Hachimura Assesses Performance After 13 Field Goal Attempts
Hachimura attempted 13 field goals during the contest, trailing only Darius Garland, who led the team with 30 points on 19 field goal attempts. Following the game, Hachimura assessed his performance in a media session by stating he felt he did good work for the victory and maintained his focus.
Upcoming Matchup Against the Lakers
The Clippers return to the court for their next game against the Los Angeles Lakers, marking an immediate matchup against Hachimura’s former team. The forward enters the fixture looking to maintain momentum while preparing to face familiar opponents.
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