Rui Hachimura was back at Crypto.com Arena on Friday evening – but this time as an opponent.
Hachimura made his return to the Lakers’ enviornment after 3 ½ seasons with the franchise when the Lakers hosted the Clippers for both group’s second sport of the common season.
Rui Hachimura of the LA Clippers arrives at the enviornment before a sport against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
And despite being an opponent, the Lakers made certain Hachimura knew they appreciated his contributions to the group with a customary tribute video during the first quarter of Friday’s sport.
During the Clippers’ first timeout, halfway through the first, the Lakers performed the close to minute-long video, which ended with a replay of the 6-foot-8 ahead knocking down a buzzer-beating, game-winning 3-pointer in the Lakers’ win over the Raptors on Dec. 4, 2025, in Toronto.
Rui Hachimura participates in warmups before a sport between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Friday, October 23, 2026. London Entertainment
The No. 9 decide in the 2019 draft was all smiles before Friday’s sport, greeting his former teammates and coaches.
He even jokingly acted like he was going to go inside of the Lakers’ locker room pregame before ultimately going to the customer’s locker room.
The Lakers acquired Hachimura from the Wizards in January 2023.
He was a very important half of their run to the 2023 Western Conference finals, and was a full-time starter during each of their playoff runs from 2024-26.
Rui Hachimura of the LA Clippers dribbles the ball during a sport against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Hachimura averaged 12.3 factors on 51.6% taking pictures (41.5% on 3-pointers) and 4.3 rebounds in his 228 video games with the Lakers.
He shot 50.7% on 3-pointers in the 36 playoff video games he performed for the franchise.
Hachimura signed a two-year, $28 million contract with the Clippers in July in free company.