Former Gonzaga star Rui Hachimura scores 29 as Lakers take Game 1 over Grizzlies

Since joining the Los Angeles Lakers in a midseason trade, Rui Hachimura hasn’t needed big minutes to provide meaningful production.

However, the former Gonzaga men's basketball standout made a convincing case for a bigger role on Sunday when he scored 29 points off the bench in the Lakers’ 128-112 road win over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of their opening-round playoff matchup.

Hachimura shot 11-for-14 from the field and 5-for-6 from deep, while also grabbing six rebounds in 30 minutes of action.

“It speaks for itself,” said Lebron James of Hachimura’s performance. “He was huge, he hit timely shots... and we needed that, especially coming off the bench.”

Hachimura helped the Lakers climb back from a seven-point halftime deficit by scoring 21 points after the intermission. His scoring explosion began late in the third quarter, as he drilled four 3-pointers in a five-minute span to give Los Angeles a 96-90 lead entering the final period.

“In the second half, we were in a good rhythm, everybody was sharing the ball and all those shots came to me,” Hachimura said.

While Hachimura’s 3-point marksmanship was on full display, he also used his 6-foot-8 frame to punish Memphis inside the paint. He made all five of his attempts near the rim, including a ferocious one-handed slam over the outstretched arms of Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. early in the fourth quarter.

RUI HACHIMURA ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? HE CAN’T BE STOPPED (via @NBA)
pic.twitter.com/HlVtwP8wpk
— Overtime (@overtime) April 16, 2023

“I know Jaren Jackson is going to try to block every shot, so I just pump-faked and then I went to the rim strong,” Hachimura said about the play.

Hachimura tied the Lakers’ record for the most points off the bench in a playoff game, matching Mychal Thompson’s mark from 1988.

“[Rui’s] skillset is crazy,” said Lakers guard Austin Reaves, who finished with 23 points. “For us to get him, along with all the other talent we have, it just brings another aspect to our team. He obviously shot the ball really well tonight, but he was solid on the defensive end too, making plays there.”

The first-round series will remain in Memphis for Game 2 on Wednesday, before moving to Los Angeles for the next two matchups.