Lakers Honor Former Player Rui Hachimura with Tribute Video During Clippers Game
The Los Angeles Lakers recognized Rui Hachimura's contributions with a video presentation during his first game back at Crypto.com Arena as a member of the Clippers.
Rui Hachimura returned to Crypto.com Arena on Friday night, not as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, but as an opponent playing for the Los Angeles Clippers. During the first quarter of the game, the Lakers honored Hachimura, who played for them for 3 1/2 seasons, with a tribute video acknowledging his time with the franchise.
The video, which lasted nearly a minute, was shown during a timeout and concluded with a highlight of Hachimura’s game-winning 3-pointer against the Toronto Raptors on December 4, 2025. Hachimura, the No. 9 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, was acquired by the Lakers from the Washington Wizards in January 2023.
He was an integral part of the Lakers' run to the Western Conference finals in 2023 and served as a full-time starter in their playoff campaigns from 2024 to 2026. In his 228 games with the Lakers, Hachimura averaged 12.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and shot 51.6% from the field, including 41.5% from three-point range. He maintained a 50.7% three-point shooting percentage across 36 playoff games for the team.
In July, Hachimura signed a two-year, $28 million contract with the Clippers. Before the game, he was seen interacting positively with his former teammates and coaches, even jokingly approaching the Lakers' locker room before heading to the visitor's facilities.
