The Los Angeles Lakers displayed exceptional resilience this season to secure a playoff spot, and their 128-112 Game 1 triumph over the Memphis Grizzlies signaled a resurgence for the iconic team. Rui Hachimura emerged as the standout player in the game.
Hachimura, with five NBA seasons under his belt, has only made one previous playoff appearance, during which he averaged 14.8 points on an impressive 61.7% shooting and 7.2 rebounds in five games against the Philadelphia 76ers in 2021.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka made a bold move by trading Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks for Hachimura, a decision that has paid significant dividends. In his 33 games with the Lakers, Hachimura has maintained a remarkable 48.5% field goal percentage while averaging 9.6 points and 4.7 rebounds.
Hachimura's performance against the Grizzlies proved vital, as he brought energy to the court, battled against Memphis' bigs like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Xavier Tillman, and provided assistance on the wings. Although he scored only eight points in the first half, Hachimura turned up the heat in the second half, finishing with 29 points and six rebounds.
To put things in perspective, Hachimura led the Lakers in scoring, while LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Austin Reaves contributed 21, 22, and 23 points, respectively.
The Lakers faced concerns about their bench depth entering the 2022-23 regular season, following the Russell Westbrook trade the previous year. As the seventh seed, going up against the well-rounded Grizzlies would be a challenge for any team, but a healthy Lakers lineup cannot be underestimated.
With James and Davis at the helm, the Lakers always have the potential to cause an upset, and having a starting-quality forward like Hachimura off the bench is a significant asset for a team with championship aspirations.
Although it's only one game into the postseason, the Lakers' ability to snatch home-court advantage from the Grizzlies is crucial for advancing to the next round. Hachimura's emergence as the team's sixth man and his contributions on both sides of the court will play a significant role in determining the Lakers' fate.
Considering Ja Morant's hand injury, which may sideline him for Game 2 and beyond, the Lakers are expected to be even more aggressive in their next matchup, aiming to nullify the Grizzlies' home-court advantage. Pelinka's gamble on Hachimura for such a modest price deserves recognition, as it has proven to be a critical factor in the Lakers' playoff run.
