After a thrilling 104-101 win against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, the Los Angeles Clippers successfully opened the preseason and turned the page on a tumultuous summer. And although it was just a small sample size, the Clippers have to be excited by what they saw from new addition Rui Hachimura and rookie Keaton Wagler.
The Clippers’ starters played in just the first half of Sunday’s game, leading 55-43 at halftime behind a strong showing from Hachimura. The eighth-year pro wasted no time getting to work for his new team, showing how he figures to be utilized in coach Tyronn Lue’s offense by scoring 21 points and grabbing five rebounds in only 15 minutes of action. Hachimura was also extremely efficient on the offensive end, connecting on 8-of-11 from the field and 4-of-5 from beyond the three-point arc. According to Hachimura, that’s just a preview of what the 6-foot-8 forward can do this season.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Bradley Beal (3) and forward Rui Hachimura (28) pose for a photo on media day at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
Hachimura joined the Clippers this summer in free agency on a reported two-year, $28 million deal. He spent his first three and a half seasons with Washington and the last three and a half seasons with the rival Los Angeles Lakers.
The 230-pounder holds career averages of 12.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 405 games. He’s made 264 starts in his career, including 41 of his 68 appearances for the Lakers last season. Hachimura now appears ready to assume more responsibility with the Clippers after playing a supporting role at his two previous stops.
“It’s just experience,” Hachimura explained to reporters after Sunday’s game. “You know, I’ve been with two, three different teams. And you know, this is my eighth year. I’ve been in the playoffs many times, and it’s just experience.”
“Ty, you know, he’s been in a lot of big games,” Hachimura continued. “You know, (he’s coached in) the playoffs and championships, so he understands. And I understand him and what he wants to do, and we’ve just been communicating. I’ve been communicating with him a lot, especially this whole (training) camp. So, I think those are important. You know, quick learning, and I like to learn from him a lot of stuff. And I’m excited for the season.”
While Hachimura hit the ground running at the start of the game, Wagler struggled to shoot and saved his best for last.
Finishing the game just 3-of-15 from the field and 1-of-11 from three-point range, Wagler continued to display a confident demeanor on the court. That confidence showed when the game was on the line, and the ball was in the first-year pro’s hands, leading to his game-winning stepback jumper with 12.1 seconds left on the clock.
Wagler’s final stat line showed he is capable of impacting the game in multiple ways, scoring 15 points, grabbing six rebounds, dishing three assists, collecting two steals, and registering a block in the win. And despite his struggles shooting the ball, Wagler took away plenty of positives that will help him going forward.
“I think it’s just all the work I’ve put in throughout the years,” the No. 5 pick in June’s draft confidently said after the game. “And my teammates were saying to me, ‘Keep shooting it no matter what.’ Makes or misses. This is preseason. This is the time to get better. And the only way to get better is to shoot shots. Just went out there, tried to play free, play confident. Shots didn’t really fall tonight, but I stayed confident the whole game.”
Both Wagler and Hachimura could be called upon even more now after newcomer Max Strus exited Sunday’s game with a right foot injury. Already without Brandon Ingram and Bradley Beal to start the season, the Clippers’ rotation took another blow with Strus’s injury. The sharpshooter exited the game with a non-contact injury and will reportedly undergo further testing when the team returns to L.A. from Hawaii. Last season, Strus had surgery to address a Jones fracture in his left foot.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
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