Rui Hachimura was back at Crypto.com Arena on Friday night – but this time as an opponent.
Hachimura made his return to the Lakers’ arena after 3 ½ seasons with the franchise when the Lakers hosted the Clippers for both team’s second game of the regular season.
And despite being an opponent, the Lakers made sure Hachimura knew they appreciated his contributions to the organization with a customary tribute video during the first quarter of Friday’s game.
During the Clippers’ first timeout, midway through the first, the Lakers played the near minute-long video, which ended with a replay of the 6-foot-8 forward knocking down a buzzer-beating, game-winning 3-pointer in the Lakers’ win over the Raptors on Dec. 4, 2025, in Toronto.
The No. 9 pick in the 2019 draft was all smiles before Friday’s game, greeting his former teammates and coaches.
He even jokingly acted like he was going to go inside of the Lakers’ locker room pregame before eventually going to the visitor’s locker room.
The Lakers acquired Hachimura from the Wizards in January 2023.
He was a vital part of their run to the 2023 Western Conference finals, and was a full-time starter during each of their playoff runs from 2024-26.
Hachimura averaged 12.3 points on 51.6% shooting (41.5% on 3-pointers) and 4.3 rebounds in his 228 games with the Lakers.
He shot 50.7% on 3-pointers in the 36 playoff games he played for the franchise.
Hachimura signed a two-year, $28 million contract with the Clippers in July in free agency.
