Rui Hachimura hit a season-high five triples on his way to 18 points Wednesday as he helped the Los Angeles Lakers secure a thrilling 115-113 win over the Golden State Warriors in their NBA Christmas Day showdown.
Rui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers attempts a three-point basket during an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco on Dec. 25, 2024. (NBAE/Getty/Kyodo)
The visiting Lakers clinched victory on Austin Reaves’ layup with 1.7 seconds left after Steph Curry tied the game for the Warriors on his second of two difficult threes inside the final 13 seconds.
While he had the green light from outside, Japanese men’s national basketball team power forward Hachimura also needed to provide an inside presence in the absence of star Anthony Davis, who headed to the locker room early with an ankle injury.
“AD (Davis) got hurt literally at the beginning and we were kind of in a little bit of shock,” Hachimura said. “We kind of turned around and we were like, OK, let’s make this with great, positive energy. Everybody on the court stepped in today.”
With a lack of backup big men on his injury-hit roster, coach JJ Redick instructed Hachimura and the rest of the Lakers’ makeshift small lineup to shoot without hesitation.
“AD was out so we had no choice,” Hachimura said. “JJ (and) everybody told me I’ve got to start shooting threes, so I was waiting for it. My teammates gave me great passes and I just knocked them down.”
Rui Hachimura (R) of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco on Dec. 25, 2024. (NBAE/Getty/Kyodo)
Longtime rivals Curry and LeBron James treated fans to another classic Christmas Day battle. James spearheaded the Lakers with 31 points and 10 assists, while Curry led all scorers with 38 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter. Reaves had a triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
Hachimura said it was a privilege to play under the spotlight on Christmas, when the NBA traditionally schedules some of its most anticipated regular season matchups.
“It’s different to the playoffs in that it’s a once-a-year game,” Hachimura said. “Everyone takes it very seriously. It’s exciting.”
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