Sports · Basketball · 1 hr ago
Rui Hachimura returns to face Lakers as a Clipper and receives tribute video
Rui Hachimura has joined the Los Angeles Clippers after playing for the Lakers, making his first game against his former team an early-season reunion.
The 28-year-old forward, who is from Toyama City in Japan, started for the Clippers in their season-opening win over the Sacramento Kings.
He scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds in that game, adding two assists.
In the Clippers’ next game, against the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena, the Lakers welcomed him with a tribute video during the first quarter.
The video included highlights of a dramatic game-winning buzzer-beater he made last season for the Lakers.
The tribute marked his return to the team he left, while the Clippers began the season with a win and a new player in their starting lineup.
The NBA regular season is scheduled to run through April 11, with each team playing 82 games.
Rui Hachimura returned to face the Los Angeles Lakers as a member of the Clippers and received a tribute video during the game.
The video, shown during the first quarter, included highlights from his time with the Lakers.
The Clippers signed Hachimura after he played for the Lakers, and he started in the game against them.
He had made his Clippers debut in the season opener, recording 10 points and eight rebounds in a win over the Kings.
- Who
- Rui Hachimura and the Los Angeles Clippers faced the Lakers.
- What
- Hachimura returned to play against his former team and received a tribute video.
- When
- October 23, 2026, local date. The Japanese report dated the game October 24.
- Where
- Crypto.com Arena, the Lakers’ home arena in Los Angeles.
- Why
- Hachimura had previously played for the Lakers and was returning as a Clipper.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Hachimura made his Clippers debut in a 121-96 season-opening win over the Sacramento Kings.
Hachimura started against the Lakers in his second game of the season.
The arena showed a “WELCOME BACK” tribute video featuring highlights from Hachimura’s time with the Lakers.
- Teams
- Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers
- Venue
- Crypto.com Arena
- Tribute
- WELCOME BACK” video shown during the first quarter
- Clippers debut
- 10 points and 8 rebounds against the Kings
- Debut result
- Clippers beat the Kings 121-96