Rui Hachimura gave the Clippers plenty to think about on the international stage, turning in a loud performance for Japan in FIBA World Cup Qualifiers play against Saudi Arabia.
Hachimura finished with 29 points and two steals while shooting 11-of-14 from the field. He also knocked down three shots from beyond the arc, a sharp reminder of the scoring pop he can bring as he heads into his first season with Los Angeles.
The 29-year-old is preparing for the eighth year of his NBA career, and he’ll do it in a new uniform after officially signing a two-year, $28 million deal with the Clippers in July. After four seasons with the Lakers, Hachimura enters this next stretch with a chance to build the best campaign of his career.
That’s the backdrop for a player who already showed steady production in his last NBA season. With the Lakers, he averaged 11.5 points and 3.3 rebounds across 68 games, shooting 51.4% from the floor, 44.3% from three and 69.4% at the line. His playoff numbers were even stronger: 17.5 points, four rebounds and 1.7 assists per game, with his shooting climbing to 54.9% overall, 56.9% from deep and 72.7% on free throws.
Rui Hachimura was on FIRE, as he knocked down his first 8 shots in today's FIBA World Cup Qualifier win for Japan 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) August 27, 2026
🇯🇵 29 PTS
🇯🇵 11-14 FGM
🇯🇵 3 3PM
🇯🇵 2 STL
(via @FIBAWC)pic.twitter.com/BIutnpYgv8
For the Clippers, the timing matters. They’re coming off a 42-40 season that left them ninth in the Western Conference and out of the playoffs after a loss to the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament. The organization is also looking ahead to a new direction, with the team hoping to complete the trade with the Toronto Raptors involving Kawhi Leonard once the league’s investigation wraps up.
For now, though, Hachimura’s work with Japan is offering a clear preview of the kind of impact Los Angeles is hoping to get next season.
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