Lakers Players Cherish Reunion with Former Teammate Rui Hachimura

Los Angeles Lakers players expressed warmth and camaraderie towards former teammate Rui Hachimura during his recent return to Crypto.com Arena. Hachimura, now with the Clippers, was met with enthusiastic greetings from his former colleagues, highlighting the positive relationships forged during his tenure with the Lakers.

Lakers superstar Luka Doncic shared a playful pre-game reunion with Hachimura. "I don’t like Rui…Nah, it was just great to see him," Doncic said. "He’s my guy. We had a year and a half together, great friends, so it was really nice to see him." The playful interaction continued into the game, with Hachimura noting Doncic's attempts at trash talk, though he stated he "had a good time with him."

Austin Reaves, who played alongside Hachimura for his entire time with the Lakers, spoke highly of the forward. "He’s one of my favorite teammates I’ve ever had," Reaves said. "Always in a good mood, happy to be here, puts the work in and it’s just good to see him be happy and successful and enjoying his life."

Coach JJ Redick also lauded Hachimura, calling him "one of my favorite players I’ve ever been around in the NBA" and "one of my favorite players I’ve ever coached." Redick emphasized Hachimura's "consistency of joy and personality that he brings every day."

Hachimura, who spent 3 ½ seasons with the Lakers, contributed 16 points, six rebounds, and two steals in his return game. Despite his new team's loss to the Lakers, Hachimura reflected positively on his past with the organization. "It was amazing, it was a great time with them," he said. "This organization, of course I missed them. But it was time to move on. It was special, my four years, four seasons with them. I’m happy with the Clippers right now. I gotta keep going with my career."