Free extension for sports fans
Advertisement
Advertisement

Rui Hachimura has made it loud and clear that an elevated role is not for him

Rui Hachimura has made it clear he isn't suited to the elevated role the LA Clippers gave him over the summer.

Published: Sunday, 25 October 2026 at 8:40 PM
Rui Hachimura has made it loud and clear that an elevated role is not for him
Key Things to Know
  • Writer Iliyan Lakhani argues Rui Hachimura cannot handle an elevated scoring role with the LA Clippers.
  • Hachimura is serving as the secondary scoring option behind Darius Garland while Brandon Ingram recovers from an Achilles injury.
  • Through two regular-season games, Hachimura averaged 13.0 points while shooting 29.6% from the field.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Iliyan Lakhani of Clipperholics argues that LA Clippers forward Rui Hachimura has struggled in an elevated role as the team's second scoring option behind Darius Garland. With Brandon Ingram recovering from a partially torn Achilles, Hachimura has averaged 13.0 points while shooting just 29.6% from the field and committing 2.5 turnovers per game over a two-game span.

While Hachimura has performed well defensively and on the glass, Lakhani contends that opposing defenses are overwhelming him with double-teams and top wing defenders. The writer states that Hachimura lacks the ball-handling and shot-creation skills needed to thrive without multiple star players drawing defensive attention.

Advertisement

Never Miss a Sports Update

Get the latest sports news and top stories from MySportsTab delivered straight to your inbox.

No spam. Just the latest sports news and updates.